Curbing terrorism: SC judge advocates changes in criminal jurisprudence

Colloquium aims to enrich knowledge, sharpen skills on modern investigation.

ISLAMABAD:

Given the current situation in the country and to counter terrorism in the world, certain changes are necessary in the criminal jurisprudence to counter the menace of terrorism.

This was stated by the Supreme Court Judge, Justice Tariq Pervaiz while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a six-day colloquium on “Modern Investigation and Evidence Gathering Techniques in a Changing Criminal Justice and Counter Terrorism World” held in collaboration with the British High Commission at the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA) on Monday, said a press release issued by the academy.

“Changes in the criminal jurisprudence are essential to convict the accused expeditiously and uphold the rule of law in the country,” Justice Pervaiz said.

The colloquium aims to enrich the knowledge and sharpen the skills about the modern investigation and evidence gathering techniques to terrorism in the field dealing with such cases.



Referring to FJA director general’s speech in which he highlighted the steps outlined by the United Nations to counter terrorism.

First off, he said the world community must define the word “terrorism” because what one considers as an act of terror, the other considers the same act as the struggle for liberation and prides in it. “Until and unless the word “terrorism” is not defined in definite terms, it would be difficult to gather evidence, convict the culprits and fight terrorism,” he added

Mark Carroll of British High Commission remarked that learning about the modern techniques and evidence gathering techniques from the professionals was necessary to uphold the rule of law.

International experts from USA, UK and Australia, and district and sessions judges and Anti Terrorism Court judges from across Pakistan are attending the colloquium.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2012.