ISLAMABAD – As part of the security measures in the wake of increasing life threats by the terrorists particularly to those affiliated with the prosecution of terrorists, the government on Monday announced to provide security guards to public prosecutors on the day of prosecution along with a police squad. Federal Minister for Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan announced the same while chairing a meeting which discussed the difficulties faced by Anti- Terrorism Courts (ATCs) setup in all the four provinces. He said that premises of ATC’s in all the four provinces need to be repaired, renovated and maintained.
He also recommended a salary raise for them. Babar Awan said that all the provinces should ensure that necessary staff and equipment be provided to all the presiding officers and prosecutors. He also recommended that services of all the contract employees in ATC’s be regularized. The staff of all the Federal Courts who have completed three year at one place of posting be transferred to other courts, the minister added.
He hoped that the problems faced by anti-terrorism courts needs to be resolved within one week. The meeting was attended by Ayaz Soomro, Law Minister Sindh, Shama Parveen Magsi, Law Minister Government of Balochistan Barrister Arshad Abdullah, law minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, IG Islamabad, chief commissioner Islamabad and home secretaries/ additional secretaries IG’s/DIG’s and prosecutors generals of all the provinces. Federal Secretary for Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Muhammad Masood Chishti, was also present in the meeting, while Rana Sana Ullah, law minister Punjab did not attend the meeting.
Babar Awan announced the grant of Rs 10 lac for libraries in ATC’s in each province and Rs 5 lac to Public Prosecutors Libraries.
Why only the prosecutors at ATC court and why not the prosecutors associated with the magisterial courts? As these are to ensure over all writ of law and secure conviction rate; which is always on a decrease. The Assistant District prosecutors are even more important because they are the people who shape up a trail which has to go to various plateforms like that of High Courts and Supreme Cours Respectively?
The federal and provincial law ministers and even the chief executives of the provinces should not turn a deaf year to a roaring need and take immidiate steps to enhance the salaries of Assistan District and all other special Prosecutors.
Govt should take immediate steps to strengthen the prosecution department by initiating special training programmes, increasing salaries, and providing necessary infrastructure and security to prosecutors. If this all is done surely the culprits will never go scot free and resultantly crime rate will substantially decrease. This is a short and simple recipe for bringing peace and security in the country. Let us hope for a positive responce from the major stake holders.
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