ATC judges should equip themselves with new tools: Justice Khawaja

British High Commission deputy chief lauds role of nation in fighting terrorism.

A Supreme Court judge has stressed the need for equipping the anti-terrorism court (ATC) judges with new tools and techniques to administer justice, said a press release issued by the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA) on Monday.

Addressing the graduation ceremony of colloqium on “Modern Investigation and Evidence Gathering Techniques in a Changing Criminal Justice and Counter Terrorism World”at the FJA, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said, “The role of anti-terrorism courts is significant, as courts are meant to uphold the rule of law without being swayed by public opinion, pressure and consequences.”

“Judges of ATCs must adhere to the principles and norms of the criminal justice system; they can’t lose sight of Article 9 of the Constitution which guarantees the security of life and liberty.”

He added that the ATC judges must do justice.

Prosecutors in every province must be imparted the latest training to enable them to bring criminals to justice with foreign collaboration, said Justice Khawaja.



“It is also the mandate of the Federal Judicial Academy to impart training to judicial officers and to all those who are related to the administration of justice in the country.”

Speaking on the occasion, British High Commission’s (BHC) deputy chief Alison Blake said, “This innovative event which is, indeed, Pakistan’s first judicial colloquium provided a deeper understanding of challenges Pakistan is facing nowadays.”

Lauding the role of ATC judges she said, “The role of judges is very crucial to bring perpetrators to justice. We are proud of the bravery of judges in imparting justice and we will work together to support their capability.”

She also eulogised the nation’s role in their fight against terrorism.

A number of international and national experts enlightened the ATC and district and sessions judges from all over Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. The chief guest gave certificates to  19 participants.

The colloquium was jointly organised by the FJA and the BHC in collaboration with US Department of Justice and Australian Federal Police.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2012.