Lending an explanation: Newly adopted bill is being misconstrued, says CM

According to Shah, the amendment in the law strengthens prosecution


Press Release January 16, 2016
Police commandoes display their skills at the 28th passing-out parade of Eaglet Course at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Elite Police Training Centre in Razzakabad on Saturday. PHOTO: ONLINE

KARACHI: The Criminal Prosecution Service Amendment Bill approved by the Sindh Assembly is being misconstrued, said Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah.

He was speaking to the media at the 28th passing-out parade of Eaglet Course at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Elite Police Training Centre in Razzakabad on Saturday. According to him, the amendment in the criminal prosecution law has been made in the light of the apex committee’s decisions to strengthen the prosecution.

“This is very simple that the prosecution has been strengthened,” he said. “Apart from it, the prosecutor will be able to withdraw the allegation when he will find them without substance not only on his own but with the consent of the court.” He added that the hue and cry was being made just to hit the headlines. This has been done because the conviction rate of anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) is not encouraging. “It was not more than 10 per cent but after our efforts the conviction rate of the ATCs has improved to 27 per cent,” he said.

Petition against Sindh government filed in SC

Daesh and TTP — two sides of the same coin

Shah said that Daesh and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are two sides of the same coin. They both are terrorists and he considers them the enemies of humanity and Islam. “We have won independence after a long struggle and unforgettable sacrifices, therefore we would prefer to lay our lives instead of allowing terrorists to destabilise our beloved country,” he said. “This is not a question whether Daesh exists in Sindh but the question is terrorists exist here.”

The chief minister said that, when he took over, the budget for law and order was Rs14 billion and now it stands at Rs60 billion. “We have not only increased the salaries of policemen but have enhanced the compensation for heirs of martyrs,” he said. Shah added that his government has given special attention to the capacity-building of the police force.

Sindh allows prosecutors to withdraw terror cases

Congratulating young cops

Addressing the passing out parade ceremony as the chief guest, Shah said that he was satisfied to witness the skills of the graduates of the Eaglet Course. “They are capable of fighting with terrorists,” he said. “I am confident that they would protect this country and its people.”

He congratulated Sindh IG Ghulam Hyder Jamali, training DIG Iqbal Dara, training centre commandant Hyder Raza and the trainer of the batch for imparting the most modern training to combat any terrorist activity to the newly recruited force.

The graduates of the course demonstrated their skills of climbing on high-rises and sliding from high-rises with a rope, counter attacks, fire-fighting, driving skills, safety precautions and helping the injured colleagues.

The IG thanked the chief minister and said that it was his commitment that the police training centres have been made a hub of latest skills. “Our training centres have been upgraded on the pattern and support of army training centres,” he said. Senior police officers such as additional Counter-Terrorism Department IG Dr Sanaullah Abbasi, additional IG Bhatti and others also attended the passing out parade. Later, the chief minister planted a sapling to conclude the event on a memorable note.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2016.

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