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The Sindh High Court (SHC) has taken exception to the government’s failure to enforce the witness protection law and issued notices to the home and law department secretaries to explain why definite action has not been taken in this regard.
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 the law and order situation had been worsening and heinous crimes, including snatchings, robberies, kidnappings for ransom and murders, were increasing in Karachi, whereas, no concrete steps had been taken by the Sindh government either to reduce such crimes or to provide protection to the 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 division bench of the high court headed by Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed observed that despite the passage of sufficient time, no substantial progress had been made to give proper effect to the witness protect law.
The high court observed that no constructive submissions had been made by the home and law departments in this regard.
The bench issued notices to the home and law secretaries to appear before the court and explain the failure to enforce the witness protection law.
The high court had earlier observed that it was expected that necessary steps required under the Sindh Witness Protection Act 2013 shall be made.
Under the witness protection programme, the provincial government was required to constitute witness protection units for the 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.
