Legal framework drug abuse prevention

THE ANTI NARCOTICS FORCE ACT, 1997   The Anti Narcotics Force Act, 1997, is a crucial piece of legislation in Pakistan aimed at combatting the illegal drug trade and drug-related crimes. It establishes the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF), a specialized law enforcement agency dedicated to the prevention, detection, and investigation of narcotics-related offenses. This act plays a pivotal role in addressing the adverse social, health, and security consequences associated with drug trafficking and abuse, and it underscores Pakistan’s commitment to international efforts to combat the illicit drug trade PREAMBLE. . 1 Short title and commencement 2 Definitions 3 Constitution of the Force 4 Superintendence and administration of the Force 5 Functions of the Force 6 Power of the members of the Force 7 Wearing of Uniform 8 Punishment 9 Grounds of punishment 10 Authority to award punishment 11 Terms of service 12 Conduct and Discipline 13 Members to serve anywhere 14 Members as public prosecutors 15 Delegation of powers 16 Indemnity 17 Power to make rules SCHEDULE. Section 9 Authorities to award punishment 1 ANTI‑NARCOTICS FORCE ACT, 1997 ACT No.III OF 1997 An Act to provide for the constitution of Anti‑Narcotics Force WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the constitution of a Force for the purpose of inquiring into, and investigating offences relating to narcotics and Narcotics Trafficking and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto; It is hereby enacted as follows: Short title and commencement.__ (1) This Act may be called the Anti­Narcotics Force Act, 1997. (2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan. (3) It shall come into force at once. Definitions. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,__ (a) “Code” means the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, (Act V of 1898); (b) “Director‑General” means the Director General of the Force; (c) “Force” means the Anti‑Narcotic Force constituted under section 3; (d) “narcotics” includes narcotic, drugs, psychotropic substances and controlled substances as defined in the Control of Narcotic Substances Ordinance, 1996, (XCIV of 1996) (e) “police” means a police­force constituted by the Federal Government or Provincial Government under the Police Act, 1861 (V of 1861). (f) .”prescribed” means prescribed by rules under this Act; and (g) “rules” means rules made under this Act. 1This Act shall apply to FATA vide S.R.O.No. 489(1)/98, dated 26­5­1998, with certain condition. 2 (2) The words and expressions used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the Control of Narcotic Substances Ordinance, 1996, (XCIV of 1996). Constitution of the Force.__ (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Federal Government may constitute a Force to be called the Anti Narcotics Force. (2) The Force shall consist of a Director‑General to be appointed by the Federal Government and such number of other officials as the Federal Government may, from time to time, appoint to be members of the Force. (3) On commencement of this Act, the Pakistan Narcotics Control Board constituted under the Government of Pakistan, Planning Division’s Resolution, dated the 8th March, 1973, and Anti‑Narcotics Task Force constituted under the Anti Narcotics Task Force Ordinance, 1994, (LXXVI of 1994) shall stand merged and all personnels, including officers, ministerial staff and the contingent staff of the said Board and Task Force shall, subject to the provisions of section 11 become members of the Force and be governed in accordance with this Ordinance and the rules made thereunder. (4) The Force shall for all intents and purposes be successor of Pakistan Narcotics Control Board and Anti‑Narcotics Task Force in respect of all cases, inquiries, investigation, assets, liabilities, rights, obligations and privileges and matters related thereto or connected therewith. (5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the General Clauses Act, 1897, (IV of 1897). anything done or action taken before the commencement of this Act, under the Anti Narcotics Task Force Ordinance, 1994 (LXXVI of 1994), or otherwise by the Pakistan Narcotics Control Board in so far it is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall be deemed to have been done or taken under this Act. Superintendence and administration of the Force.__ (1) The superintendence of the Force shall vest in the Federal Government. (2) The Administration of the Force shall vest in the Director‑General who shall exercise in respect of the Force all powers of an Inspector‑General of Police under the Police Act, 1861, (V of 1861). and all other powers under the Act. (3) In case of any officers and members from the Armed Forces, the Director‑General shall have all powers conferred by or under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, (XXXIX of 1952). the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, (VI of 1953). and the Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961, (XXXVI of 1961). respectively as an officer empowered to convene a General Court Martial: 3 Provided that such powers shall be exercised only by the Director­General who is in the regular service of any of the Armed Forces. Functions of the Force. The Force shall (a) inquire into, investigate and prosecute all offences relating to, or connected with, preparation, production, manufacture, transportation, illicit trafficking or smuggling of intoxicants, narcotics and chemical precursors or reagents used in the manufacture of narcotics or any offence committed in the course of the same transaction under any law for the time being in force, including an attempt or conspiracy to commit, or any abetment of, any such offence, or any offence committed under the Control of Narcotics Substances Ordinance, 1996 (XCIV of 1996) or the Prohibition (Enforcement of Hadd) Order, 1979 (P.O. 4 of 1979); (b) trace and freeze the assets; (c) provide assistance and advice to other enforcement agencies on all matters in the field of narcotics and to collect information from all national and international enforcement agencies about illicit narcotic traffic and traffickers; (d) maintain liaison with all national or international narcotics authorities, organisations, bodies, associations and societies and represent Pakistan in such conferences, seminars and workshops arranged by any such organization on narcotics related