Lawyers to help overhaul criminal justice system

Think tank of lawyers will suggest changes by months end

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has established a think-tank comprising 1,400 lawyers to float recommendations in an effort to overhaul the country’s criminal justice system.

SCBA president Ali Zafar, talking to the media at the Supreme Court premises, said the bar has decided to publish a ‘Green Book’ in which recommendations would be given to incorporate changes (improvements) in 22 areas of the criminal justice system.

He stated that the lawyers included in the think-tank have been asked to give their recommendations by the end of this month, adding valuable proposals have already been received in 22 areas of the criminal justice system.

He said the suggestions received will be scrutinised by a 25-member advisory committee of top jurists of the country in September, adding in this regard Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf has assured his full cooperation to the bar.

The SCBA states that the bar will also hold a grand session of 1,400 lawyers with the 25-member advisory committee for an open discussion in September.

“We will compile a ‘Green Book’ on the basis of those recommendations and the copies of this book will be sent to government functionaries -- including the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker for utilising it for legislation purposes.”

He said the Green Book will also be helpful in implementing the National Action Plan to tackle terrorism. Regarding the Quetta blast in which many lawyers have died, the SCBA president said a committee comprising representatives of lawyers has been formed to devise a plan for staging peaceful protests outside parliament and provincial assemblies on the same day. He also urged the Supreme Court to decide on the appeals of military courts’ convicts as soon as possible, adding terrorists have been using soft targets to spread terror in society.

However, he rejected the impression that security agencies have failed in tackling terrorism in the country, adding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could be the main reason for the Quetta blast.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2016.