Changes to anti-terrorism act should not provide cover to terrorists, warns PHC CJ
Says amendments which go against the right to fair trial can be challenged.
A single wrong decision taken by the leadership can take the nation 100 years back, said the Chief Justice. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
Random amendments in laws can be very dangerous for the country, said Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Dost Muhammad Khan in light of the government’s plans to make changes in the anti-terrorism act.
The CJ was addressing lawyers and judges at a certificate distribution ceremony at the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy (KPJA) on Thursday. The CJ went on to point out the government should not make any amendments which can end up providing cover to terrorists as terrorism had taken up deep roots in the country, causing three generations to suffer.
Any changes made to the anti-terrorism act which go against Article 10 of the Constitution can be challenged; the article gives the right of a fair trial to everyone, he added.
“The country is going through a severe crisis and strong leadership is needed to remove terrorism from its very roots. Both civil and military leadership need to make haste in finding a suitable solution for this problem,” said Justice Khan.
A single wrong decision taken by the leadership can take the nation 100 years back, while a good decision can lead the nation to the frontlines of success, noted the chief justice. The nation should be united and make sacrifices for the country, he added.
“You have a great responsibility on your shoulders. Be mindful of the client, case, opponent and the court so justice reaches everyone,” Justice Khan urged the newly-trained lawyers. Around 60 lawyers were awarded certificates in ethics and other courses. So far the academy has trained 275 lawyers in four training sessions.
The PHC CJ argued corruption was one of the biggest problems faced by the country, decaying systems over the decades. The legal system should eliminate it from the country, he stressed.
KPJA Director Hayat Ali Shah, PHC Bar Association President Ashtaiq Ibrahim, Advocate General Abdul Latif Yousafzai and other lawyers were also present on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2013.
Random amendments in laws can be very dangerous for the country, said Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Dost Muhammad Khan in light of the government’s plans to make changes in the anti-terrorism act.
The CJ was addressing lawyers and judges at a certificate distribution ceremony at the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy (KPJA) on Thursday. The CJ went on to point out the government should not make any amendments which can end up providing cover to terrorists as terrorism had taken up deep roots in the country, causing three generations to suffer.
Any changes made to the anti-terrorism act which go against Article 10 of the Constitution can be challenged; the article gives the right of a fair trial to everyone, he added.
“The country is going through a severe crisis and strong leadership is needed to remove terrorism from its very roots. Both civil and military leadership need to make haste in finding a suitable solution for this problem,” said Justice Khan.
A single wrong decision taken by the leadership can take the nation 100 years back, while a good decision can lead the nation to the frontlines of success, noted the chief justice. The nation should be united and make sacrifices for the country, he added.
“You have a great responsibility on your shoulders. Be mindful of the client, case, opponent and the court so justice reaches everyone,” Justice Khan urged the newly-trained lawyers. Around 60 lawyers were awarded certificates in ethics and other courses. So far the academy has trained 275 lawyers in four training sessions.
The PHC CJ argued corruption was one of the biggest problems faced by the country, decaying systems over the decades. The legal system should eliminate it from the country, he stressed.
KPJA Director Hayat Ali Shah, PHC Bar Association President Ashtaiq Ibrahim, Advocate General Abdul Latif Yousafzai and other lawyers were also present on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2013.