A meeting chaired by Sindh Minister for Home, Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Criminal Prosecution Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar was held on Wednesday to review measures aimed at strengthening coordination between police, investigation agencies and the prosecution department in order to improve the quality of investigations, enhance conviction rates and ensure timely delivery of justice.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho, law secretary, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Establishment, additional IG Karachi, additional IG CTD, Prosecutor General Sindh Barrister Shabbir Shah, Advocate General Sindh Jawad Dero, senior representatives of law enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders.
The participants reviewed challenges affecting criminal prosecutions and discussed the need for an institutional mechanism to ensure effective coordination between investigators and prosecutors. The meeting was informed that a significant number of acquittals in serious criminal cases could be attributed to gaps in coordination, inadequate consultation during investigations and limited prosecutorial involvement at critical stages of case preparation.
It was observed that prosecutors are often not consulted before the submission of reports under Section 173 of the Criminal Procedure Code, resulting in deficiencies relating to witness statements, forensic evidence and other material necessary for successful prosecution. The forum also noted the need for greater prosecutorial input during remand and investigation stages to strengthen criminal cases and improve conviction rates.
Addressing the meeting, Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar emphasized the importance of prosecutors at the pre-trial, trial and post-trial stages and stressed the need for their meaningful involvement throughout the criminal justice process. He said effective coordination between investigating agencies and prosecutors was essential for transparent investigations, stronger prosecutions and public confidence in the justice system.
The meeting decided to constitute a three-member committee comprising the Sindh IGP, the prosecutor general and the law secretary to formulate a unified policy framework for effective and efficient prosecution across the province. The minister also directed the prosecutor general to initiate the process for the appointment of special prosecutors on a contractual basis to facilitate the expeditious disposal of important criminal cases.
Prosecutor General Barrister Shabbir Shah briefed the meeting on measures aimed at strengthening the prosecution service, while IGP Javed Alam Odho reaffirmed the commitment of the Sindh police to enhancing coordination with prosecutors from the earliest stages of investigations.
