Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih has informed Parliament that the Supreme Court has determined that two amendment bills to the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance can be passed by a simple majority.
Announcing the Court’s determinations in Parliament, Dr. Salih stated that the Supreme Court had examined the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill No. 79 of 2026 (LDO 8/2026) and the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill No. 80 of 2026 (LDO 11/2026), which had been challenged under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court determined that Bill No. 79 of 2026 could be passed by a simple majority, subject to specific amendments being made at the Committee Stage.
These amendments involve changes to the proposed Section 77A(5), including the insertion of wording concerning the presence of a suspect in court and the date on which relevant reports are handed over to the suspect or their legal counsel.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court determined that Bill No. 80 of 2026 is not inconsistent with any provision of the Constitution and can therefore be passed by a simple majority of Parliament.
Dr. Salih further directed that the Supreme Court’s determinations be included in the official report of the day’s parliamentary proceedings.
