Strict laws introduced for drug cases in Punjab

Lahore: The Punjab government has amended the laws against drug suspects and proposed harsher punishments in the cases.

According to the ordinance issued by the Punjab government, major changes have been made in the provisions related to bail in drug cases, under which the accused in drug cases punishable by life imprisonment will not be granted bail.

The ordinance has clarified that before granting bail in other crimes, the court will have to look at the high bail amount and the nature of the case. The appeal against the decision of the special court will be heard in a two-member bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

The ordinance states that the nomination of the High Court bench will be made by the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court.

Under the ordinance, this law will come into force in parallel with the CNSA (federal law), and it aims to eliminate the legal gap and delay in drug cases. The amendment law will make the action against drugs more effective.

According to the Punjab Law Department, the amendment has made significant changes to sections 38, 39, 40, 41, and 44, while some previous provisions have been repealed.

The Punjab Law Department has further tightened the provisions related to bail by adding the term special court in section 39, and the appeal system in section 40 has been made subordinate to a two-member bench of the High Court.

According to the amended ordinance, sub-clause (2) of section 41 has been repealed, and the wording in section 44 has been changed, and implementation has been made mandatory. All these amendments will speed up the hearing of drug cases in the province.

It is pertinent to note that the previous Governor of Punjab had approved the ordinance under Article 128 due to the non-session of the provincial assembly, which made the amendment ordinance effective immediately from September 20, 2025.

It should be noted that the Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department has issued a gazette notification of the ordinance.