Setting the benchmark: DG prosecution concerned over officials’ performance

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Director General (DG) Prosecution Muhammad Arif Khattak on Wednesday expressed concern over the performance of Special Public Prosecutors (SPPs).

A press release issued by the Home and Tribal Affairs Department last month stated the DG instructed all district public prosecutors across the province to improve the performance of SSPs by the first week of May.

However, 15 days after the release, any improvements were yet to be seen. Consequently, the director general once again directed district public prosecutors to hold a meeting with SPPs in concerned districts to improve their overall conduct in appeals against acquittals, revision for enhancement of sentences and bail cancellation applications.

The prosecutors were also directed to present minutes of the meeting to the Directorate of Prosecution. If there was no discernible improvement in their work, the DG said a case for deleting the names of those not complying from the panel of Special Public Prosecutors should be submitted to the directorate.

He added the directorate was of the view that if such a situation was observed in the future, strict action would be taken against the concerned officers. “This type of negligence is fatal to the prosecution, and brings a bad name to the overall performance of the directorate,” added the DG.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 23^rd, 2013.