Terrorism cases: Govt mulls legislation on video confessions

The aim is to ensure progress in prosecution of all terrorism-related cases and execution of convicted terrorists

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to legislate on making audio/video recording of witnesses’ statements mandatory before police in terrorism-related cases.

This was decided in a special committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali on Monday to ensure progress on prosecutions of all terrorism-related cases, as well as the execution of convicted terrorists.

The committee has been tasked to look into impediments in the implementation and execution of the National Action Plan (NAP) and suggest proposals for removing the bottlenecks.

A senior official told The Express Tribune that the committee reviewed cases pending in trial courts.

The official said that laws would be changed to make it mandatory for witnesses to sign their statements recorded by police. Audio/video recordings of witnesses’ statements will be made and presented in courts. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2016.