Trying terrorists: New law proposed to counter acquittals for lack of evidence
The new law, said a high-ranking security official, will ensure swift justice in terrorism cases, which are currently tried under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997. A number of cases are disposed of due to lack of evidence, such as that of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi member Malik Ishaq who was released last month.
The new ways include the Sicilian Model and the American Witness Protection Act, which will be applied to Pakistan’s legal system for trying militants who pose a threat to people who testify in terrorism cases or are part of the legal process.
The Sicilian model, which was used to try members of the Italian mafia, will be applied because of lack of witnesses. “According to this model, name of the judge hearing the case will be kept confidential and will be referred to only in numbers. The person standing trial will not be allowed to see the person heading the prosecution, the prosecutor or the witness,” the official explained.
He said that new jails and courts will also be established for people who are considered a ‘security threat’. “There is a high possibility that the jail and court will be in the same compound,” he said.
Another problem faced in trying dangerous militants is concealing the identity of witnesses.
“The witness protection plan of the American Civil War will be utilised for safety of witnesses. We have also proposed amendments in the witness law,” said the official.
The procedural process is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will enable law enforcement agencies to try high-profile militants such as Muslim Khan, Maulvi Omar, Commander Mahmud and others.
An estimated 3,000 militants are under custody, which is more than the capacity that the jails are designed for. It has also overburdened security arrangements.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2011.
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“The witness protection plan of the American Civil War will be utilised for safety of witnesses."
150 years behind is better than 1500 years behind.
As soon as the govt makes any new law (like unanimous 18th amendment), the SC would be ready to pounce on it! The 18th amendment resotred the mutilated constitution but the SC still had time to hear a challenge against it. With the new law congress should make sure that the "independent" otherwise PCO SC not undo it.
Better late than never, a very good step forward ... When you have beasts roaming around and your security apparatus is still thinking how to punish them instead of taking actions how can common man feel secure and respect the law and authority of government? ... These laws should be passed withing days and implemented within weeks ... If there was not a risk of manipulation, security agencies should have been given with shoot in sight order in such cases but since that is a huge risk, the first and foremost problem is to address the loopholes and impose the law strictly. Any one involved in Anti-state activities should be given capital punishment on fast track basis and please keep aside any appeal processes we don't have to give them any chances as they don't think twice when killing innocent people besides these activities are preplanned.
//“The witness protection plan of the American Civil War will be utilised for safety of witnesses. We have also proposed amendments in the witness law,” said the official. //
Lol. can't Protect Your Bases & will Protect Witnesses ?
Though laws Must be amended :)