The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the home and law department secretaries to file a comprehensive progress report with regard to enforcement of the witness protection law.
The direction came on a petition seeking effective enforcement of the Sindh Witness Protection Act. The petitioner, M Tariq Mansoor, had submitted that the Sindh Witness Protection Act was promulgated in 2013 but since then, no serious efforts were made by the provincial government for the enforcement of the law.
He submitted that the provincial government did not take steps for the implementation of the Act, such as initiation of a witness protection programme, formation of a witness protection board, establishment of a centralised witness protection unit in the home department and appointment of chief witness protection officers.
The petitioner said the federal government had also issued a National Action Plan in 2014 under which various decision were taken, including revamping and reforming the criminal justice system.
He submitted that Pakistan was the country worst affected by terrorism but no measures had been taken to deal with the criminal proceedings of terrorism suspects. He said that situation of law and order situation was worsening and heinous crimes, including snatchings, robberies, kidnappings for ransom and murders, were increasing in Karachi while no concrete steps had been taken by the Sindh government either to reduce such crimes or to provide protection to witnesses.
The high court was requested to direct the home department to start a witness protection programme, set up witness protection advisory board and witness protection unit, and appoint witness protection officers.
The petitioner also requested the SHC to direct the provincial government to frame rules for the Sindh Witness Protection Act. A focal person filed a statement with regard to progress being made for the enforcement of the Act and sought further time for finalisation of the proposed draft rules of the Act for consideration of the government and to complete other required activities under the law.
A division bench of the high court headed by Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed observed that the statement filed by the focal person of the home department reflected that no substantial steps had been taken so as to properly implement the Witness Protection Act. The high court directed the provincial government to file a more comprehensive report on the next hearing.
The bench observed that if satisfactory progress was not ensured, the law and home department secretaries ought to be in attendance to explain the failure to comply with the court order.
The high court had earlier observed that it was expected that necessary steps required under the Sindh Witness Protection Act 2013 with particular references shall be made and compliance furnished.
Under the witness protection programme, the provincial government was required to constitute witness protection units for protection and safety of witnesses, allow them to conceal their identity, provide accommodation and reasonable financial assistance to them for obtaining a means of livelihood, and give compensation to their legal heirs if a protected person was killed due to his participation in the programme.
