Govt to bring reforms in criminal justice system: PM Imran
Pakistan
The bill on the proposed amendments would soon be tabled in the parliament.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday said that for the first time in the country’s history, the incumbent government was bringing about reforms in the criminal justice system to realize its manifesto for rule of law.
The prime minister, chairing a meeting on reforms in the criminal justice system, said in absence of the required amendments in the criminal justice system, the discrimination between rich and poor increased.
The participants of the meeting were told that the unanimous decision-making had been done following the consultation with all stakeholders besides considering the best practices in vogue globally.
The reformed system would comprise the digitalization of First Information Report (FIR), trial and appeal methods, evidence collection using electronic and digital tools, amendment in plea bargain method, and utilization of video as evidence.
It was told that new clauses dealing with the new crimes like stalking of women offence had also been included in the new law for women protection. The amendments in PPC and CrPC are also part of the same refroms.
The bill on the proposed amendments would soon be tabled in the parliament which, after passage, would not only prevent crimes but also provide for action against the elements who could not be apprehended in absence of the required legal amendments in accordance with the modern-day needs.
Briefing on the amendment of more than 600 points, Law Minister Farogh Nasim said that it was proposed to make the degree of sub-inspector and graduation compulsory for SHOs across the country. Failure to register an FIR will result in an application being made to the SP.
The decision of cases will be mandatory in nine months otherwise the concerned judges will be answerable to the High Court. Farogh Nasim said that the High Court will be able to take disciplinary action against the judges for not completing the trial in nine months.
He further said that punishment for minor crimes will be reduced from five years to six months only. There will be no plea bargain in murder, rape, terrorism, treason and serious cases while mobile footage, pictures, voice recordings, modern devices will be accepted as evidence.
Calling the said reforms inevitable for rule of law in the country, the prime minister appreciated the efforts by Law Minister Farogh Nasim, Parliamentary Secretary for Law Malika Bukhari and experts of the legal team.
