Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Tariq Parvez has advocated certain changes in the criminal jurisprudence saying, “Given the current situation in the country and in the counter terrorism world certain changes are necessary in the criminal jurisprudence so as to counter the menace of terrorism.”
He expressed these views in the inaugural ceremony of six-day colloquium on “Modern Investigation and Evidence Gathering Techniques in a Changing Criminal Justice and Counter Terrorism World” being held in the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA), Islamabad, in collaboration with the British High Commission, Islamabad, on Monday.
“Changes in the criminal jurisprudence were essential to convict the accused expeditiously and uphold the rule of law in the country. When I was the Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, Peshawar, the KPK province, previously called the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) where hundreds of thousands of terrorism acts have taken place and claimed several thousands of lives so far, keeping in view the difficult situation there and also on the basis of my twenty five years experience as lawyer who had practiced in the criminal field before elevation to the bench as Judge, I had suggested certain amendments in the criminal law”, he maintained.
About the importance of the colloquium he said: “This six days colloquium was relevant to enrich the knowledge and sharpen the skills about the modern investigation and evidence gathering techniques in a changing criminal justice of counter terrorism world of our judges in the field dealing with such cases. He said it would have been far better if there was participation of investigating agencies in this workshop who deal with the practical side of the issue. He hoped that the Academy would also arrange such a workshop for the law enforcement agencies personnel and judges together also in the future.”
Referring to Director General, FJA’s speech in which he has highlighted the significant steps of the UN to counter the scourge of terrorism, honorable Judge of the Apex Court said: The world community must define the word “terrorism” because what one considers as an act of terror, the other considers the same act as the struggle for liberation and prides in it. Until and unless the word “terrorism” is not defined in definite terms, it would be difficult to gather evidences, convict the real culprits and fight this menace of terrorism.
He also asked for prayers for those hundreds of thousands of souls who lost their lives, particularly, the armed forces personnel, in their fight against this menace of terrorism in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Mark Carroll of British High Commission said learning about the modern techniques and evidence gathering techniques in a changing criminal justice system and counter terrorism world from the professionals was necessary to uphold the rule of law.
“All professionals are here and what the participants are required is to actively participate in this colloquium”, he urged.
