Qaiser Butt's report does not mention any specifics of the other proposal mentioned.
ISLAMABAD: Qaiser Butt's report from Islamabad published in your newspaper on January 22, titled “Jails breeding ‘militants’”, states that the authorities concerned are thinking about a proposal to have a specific jail in each province for suspected terrorists and militants. The report, however, does not mention any specifics of the other proposal mentioned, which is to protect the judges of anti-terrorism courts and witnesses against threats to their lives from those accused of terrorist acts.
Perhaps the competent authorities will consider day-to-day hearing of such cases by specially appointed high-profile, well-paid and well-protected judges, within the premises of those specific jails in each province. Any unreasonable delay or improper prosecution leading to acquittal of the terrorists should invite disciplinary action against the prosecutors on the basis of court-judgements.
Jameel Bhutto
Former federal secretary
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2011.
