Daily Times

In the light of the unsatisfactory trials of most terror cases in the Pakistani courts, there are reports that a new law is being proposed to make sure that terror suspects receive a speedy trial and that justice is served quickly and effectively. While this is positive, it still remains to be seen whether these are mere plans or will actually see the light of day. Even though law and order is a provincial matter, terror and its handling are issues that belong in the purview of the centre. If the law is enacted, it remains to be seen whether the Punjab government would be on board as it is no secret that the PML-N has a soft corner for banned extremist religious-political organisations.

The law is aimed at dealing with the lacunae that most terror cases in Pakistan prove fruitless because of a lack of witnesses and poor prosecution. The law intends to implement the ‘Sicilian system’ and the American witness protection regime to ensure more effective terror trials in Pakistan. While the Sicilian system protects the identity of the prosecutor and the judge, the witness protection programme conceals the identity of the witnesses for the prosecution. New jails and courts will be established under this law to deal with suspects considered a security threat. This is a timely and much needed law because, more often than not, we see terror suspects leaving the court houses scot-free. Just last month Malik Ishaq of the terror organisation Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (which is reported to be behind the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore) was released from prison because of lack of witnesses. During the course of his trial many prosecution witnesses and a judge were gunned down.

It has been repeatedly argued that the prosecution has to be made stronger and the courts, especially the Anti-Terrorism Courts, have to be able to protect and bring forth witnesses who can give the needed evidence to incarcerate criminals who are a security threat. It is hoped that this law becomes a reality as too many terrorists have gotten away because of intimidation or outright, cold-blooded killing of witnesses and prosecutors. *