Over 700 amendments in civil, criminal laws to bring revolution in justice system: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday termed effective dispensation of justice as the state’s responsibility and said the government’s more than 700 amendments in the civil and criminal procedures would ensure speedy justice.

Addressing here at an event on Criminal Law and Justice Reforms, the prime minister said the massive amendments would help bring revolution in the criminal judicial system and simplify legal procedure for common man.

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PM Imran said no government in the past ever thought about reforming the century-old laws to maintain status quo and accommodate the elite.

“The civil law reforms are a step towards ensuring rule of law in line with Islam’s first socio-welfare State of Medina,” he said and quoted a hadith of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) emphasising that many earlier nations were destroyed where there was separate laws for the powerful and the weak.

Imran Khan said ensuring rule of law would encourage foreign investors and the overseas Pakistanis to invest their money in Pakistan.

Federal Law Minister Barrister Farogh Naseem said criminal procedure code needed a change as per requirements and mentioned that over 700 amendments had completely overhauled the existing legal system.

He mentioned that formation of a statute of an independent prosecution service, forensic laboratory and prison rules were significant reforms.

“Law is made for mandatory dispensation of budget to police station to meet the expenses of investigation, besides deputing sub-inspector at police stations with preferably bachelor degree,” he said.

Farogh Naseem said the trial judge would be made answerable before the high court for not finalising the case in nine months. The court can freeze any documents including identity card, bank accounts etc of an absconder, he added.

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In cases of personal offences including murder or rape, the maker of the video will not be made mandatory to appear before law to render witness as proof of incident, he said.

Parliamentary Secretary Maleeka Bokahri said over 700 amendments made in the criminal procedure code was a milestone of the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and would ensure prompt delivery of justice.

She said for decades, powerful people took advantage of the loopholes in law, however the reforms would provide support to the poor seeking justice.