Ali Musa Gilani, 11 others indicted in ephedrine quota case

ISLAMABAD - The son of former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Musa Gilani, including 11 others were indicted in the ephedrine quota case on Friday.

According to Geo TV, Special court judge Irum Niazi heard the case and charged Ali Musa Gilani, former health minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin, health secretary Khushnod Lashari, former health Director General Asad Hafeez, former Deputy Drug Controller Abdul Sattar Shorwani, Sheikh Nusrat, Anjum Shah and others.

The case has been adjourned till May 12. The case revolves around a Rs7 billion scam involving the illegal sale of controlled substance ephedrine.

In April 2012, Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) had submitted a 23-page report before the court formally naming eight accused Ali Musa Gilani for alleged allocating 6,500 kg of ephedrine to Berlex Lab International in Multan and 2,500 kg to Danas Pharma (Pvt) Ltd, Islamabad during 2010 to 2011.

ANF officials stated that the accused wanted to export ephedrine to Iraq and Afghanistan.

In September 2012, Ali Musa Gilani was arrested by ANF at Supreme Court’s gate but he was granted bail over surety bonds of Rs 100,000 in July 2012.

Ephedrine is a medication and stimulant which is used to prevent low blood pressure during spinal anesthesia. It has also been used for asthma, narcolepsy, and obesity but is not the preferred treatment.