Enabling justice: Strengthen prosecution, say experts

Policy dialogue stresses enhanced coordination between police and prosecution to revive public trust.

RAWALPINDI:

Legal experts have underscored the need for improved coordination between the police and prosecution to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

They were speaking at policy dialogue on “The Case for the Prosecution” here on Thursday to advocate the empowerment of prosecutors, enabling them to perform their duties in an impartial and professional manner.

The prosecution department was termed an important pillar of the criminal justice system (CJS) which can significantly reduce the burden on judiciary. Speakers said the prosecution should not send faulty cases in which chances of acquittal are higher, as it would waste the time of the already overburdened judiciary.

The dialogue was jointly organised by Aitebaar, a four-year programme funded by the UK government through DFID, in collaboration with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Prosecution Service (KPPS), which aims to strengthen the core institutional and technical capacities of the KPPS.



The speakers asserted that the prosecution should guide and supervise the police in investigation cases and the process also.

“The integrity and impartiality of prosecutors are critical to restoring public confidence in the systems,” said Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs KP Akhtar Ali Shah. He stated that prosecutors must have an adequate knowledge of law, especially laws related to terrorism. He said that the recommendations made by the participants of the dialogue would be used for reforms.

A serving judge from K-P, wishing not to be named, said “By strengthening the prosecution, we can also safeguard the rights of vulnerable people and ensure fair and speedy justice.”

Director General KPPS Asmatullah Khan said the people’s trust can be restored by reviving the whole prosecution system. He expressed the dire need to enhance the role of prosecutors through legislative intervention. Prosecutors need to make independent decisions.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2014.