In the chaotic backdrop of our security situation, some earnest structural changes in the legal framework ought to be brought about to ensure Pakistani citizens that they are inhabitants of a democratic country where the law is supreme. This can surely be done by borrowing from and tailoring according to personal needs, the pre-existing and developed legal frameworks of countries such as the UK or America. The state needs to aid its institution in order to enhance their performance and efficacy.
Legitimate have been the concern of the security forces regarding the problems arising in matters of arrests of criminals and militants. People picked up for interrogation are detained for indefinite periods of time fuels resentment and rage among the local citizens who then vow revenge against the oppressive attitudes of the law enforcers.
A natural procedure would demand the passing over of suspected terrorists to the police force who would then initiate the trials in courts of law against the accused. This stage however doesn’t arrive as the incompetence of the police results in lengthy detentions.
Among the few lucky cases that do succeed in reaching this stage remain unaddressed due to a painfully slow and faulty system.
According to experts, in most cases the accused are acquitted due to major discrepancies in the prosecuting system devised to try and punish hardcore criminals in the anti terror courts. According to statistics from the three anti terror courts operating in Rawalpindi, 56 accused were acquitted out of a total of 96 cases with only 21 being punished.
The main factors undermining prosecution is the underlying fear that not only stems from the threats received by prosecutors from terrorists who have kept tags on their entire families, but also from the authorities that demand and conduct fully fledged inquiries after every acquittal that results in many losing their jobs. This spells for the need to amplify administrative support to the law enforcers to enhance facilities and performances. This would surely increase motivational levels and serve as a means of improving outcome.
UMAR KHAN
Lahore
