PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah released from prison

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah has been released from prison after the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted him bail in the narcotics case.

The former Punjab law minister was released after furnishing two surety bonds worth Rs1 million each as directed by the LHC bench that approved his bail plea on December 24.

The LHC bench issued a written verdict stating the reasons to grant the PML-N leader bail after arrest. The court maintained that the trial court hearing the drug case had already granted bail to the co-accused which was not challenged by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).

Interestingly in its detailed judgment, the LHC noted that political victimisation in the country was an open secret and the aspect cannot be ignored in the case. “However, in the context of petitioner being a vocal political leader of opposition party, this aspect of the case could not be ignored as political victimisation in our country is an open secret,” read the court order.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the ANF will file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the verdict  for granting bail to Rana Sanaullah in drugs possession case.

The PML-N stalwart was arrested on July 1 by the ANF when he was travelling from Faisalabad to Lahore. According to an ANF spokesperson, a large quantity of drugs were recovered from the PML-N leader’s car.

Sanaullah was later shifted to an unidentified place for further investigations, while his arrest by widely condemned by the PML-N and opposition parties. The ANF had submitted charge-sheet in July in the case naming Rana Sanaullah and six other suspects.