Pakistan Protection Act: ‘Act aims to contain militancy, extremism’
Seventeen prosecutors were undergoing training on the “Role of prosecutors in quick disposal of cases”.
Extraordinary circumstances warrant extraordinary measures and the recently enacted Pakistan Protection Act (PPA) is one such remedial measure to effectively cope with terrorism, militancy and growing insurgency.
Federal Judicial Academy Director General Dr Faqir Hussain said this while speaking on a topic titled “Testing vires of PPA on the touchstone of constitution” on the first day of a weeklong training course for prosecutors from across the country, here at the Federal Judicial Academy on Monday, said a press release.
Seventeen prosecutors were undergoing training on the “Role of prosecutors in quick disposal of cases”.
Shedding light on various aspects of the act, in his presentation, he said, “Since the country is now confronted with such an extraordinary situation, the government is compelled to take certain steps and measures which can improve the law and order situation, protect life and property and contain the spate of subversive and anti–state activities.”
He said, “It is indeed a harsh piece of legislation, but we are confronted with a situation which called for such a law. Even the most civilised and democratic countries have passed such laws in testing times. There are certain offensive provisions in the new act, but they could be reviewed to bring them in conformity with constitutional safeguards.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2014.