Training workshop: Judge laments disastrous impact of terrorism

Six-day training session for judges, prosecutors and investigators concludes

ISLAMABAD: The issue of terrorism is a global one, but Pakistan bears the brunt of its impact, according to a judge of the Supreme Court.

“Terrorism is unacceptable in all its forms and manifestations,” Justice Dost Muhammad Khan said on Saturday while addressing a certificate awarding ceremony at the conclusion of a six-day training workshop.

The workshop, titled ‘Global legal framework against terrorism and relevant criminal justice response measures’, was organised for judges, prosecutors and investigators at the Federal Judicial Academy.

Khan said the United Nations in the best forum to combat terrorism, where member countries can share their strategies and best practices.

“We all have to resolve to take pragmatic steps, individually and collectively, to prevent and combat this scourge competently and effectively,” he said.

Regarding the capacity and coordination of relevant organisations, he said key players in the criminal justice system must increase their capabilities in line with international standards.

Khan also appreciated the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for arranging the capacity-building workshop at the academy.

“Whatever you have learnt in this workshop must be put in practice and shared with others to create a terrorism-free country,” he said addressing the gathering.

Lamenting the disastrous impact of terrorism, he said its presence in society had ruined an entire generation and wrought psychological problems onto citizens.

Federal Judicial Academy (FJA) Director General Fakhar Hayat said he hoped that the capacity building practices and approaches presented at the workshop would produce capable teams of experts.

Hayat also thanked UNODC Representative Cesar Guedes and his team for arranging the workshop.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2015.