‘El Chapo’ of Pakistan

Not much progress has been made on the case involving Rana Sanaullah who was arrested in July by the Anti-Narcotics Force for allegedly carrying a hefty fifteen kilograms of heroin in his vehicle.

Whenever the ANF makes a similar arrest it assesses the quantity and type of drugs recovered and showcases it before the media; a process not done during the PML-N leader’s arrest leading to doubts and accusations that the case is politically motivated.

Minister for Narcotic Control Shehryar Afridi has claimed that there is enough evidence against the former Punjab law minister which will be presented in court when the trial begins. Recently, he also stated that there are photographs and video evidence of the drug bust which have been seen by Prime Minister Imran Khan himself. Incase these claims are denied, it could leave Afridi in a rather tight spot.

Afridi has termed Rana Sanaullah as the ‘El Chapo of Pakistan’ who threatens people. The Mexican drug lord is one the most powerful trafficker in the world currently serving a life term in a US prison. His immense wealth and influence matched Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. During a live presser, Afridi made another gaffe referring to Rana Sanullah as Al Pacino, the Oscar-winning actor of ‘The Godfather’ fame.

Afridi has claimed that four judges have refused to hear Sanaullah’s case, and the lives of eyewitnesses are under threat. Therefore, the minister has pleaded that the trial should be heard in prison or be transferred to Lahore. He further dismissed any apprehensions about the working of the ANG stating that it was a credible and internationally-acclaimed drug control agency. He warned that a media trial of the agency shouldn’t be conducted just because a political personality has been arrested.

Rana Sanaullah has been controversial figure particularly due to his role in the 2014 Model Town case justifying the police’s high-handedness which led to the death of fourteen people. He is also accused of several other crimes and dozens of murders which have never been proved. Afridi has questioned Sanaullah’s source of income claiming that they have recovered assets including real estate and cash amounts which could not have been earned through legal means.

The drug case against Rana Sanaullah could prove to a difficult test for the judiciary; convicting a political personality always draws public ire. The ephedrine case against PML-N leader Hanif Abbasi was jeopardised due to a weak prosecution despite claims of sufficient evidence. This case might hit similar snags. Can we really convict the ‘El Chapo of Pakistan’?