In an ideal world, four years would have been more than enough time to make the necessary legislative amendments (and judicial adjustments) that wipe the stain of military courts from the fabric of our democracy. We would have amended the Anti-Terrorism Act, updated the relevant provisions of Criminal Procedure Core and the Pakistan Penal Code, and also introduced measures for protection of witnesses as well as judges who participate in countering terrorism. However, Pakistan is not an ideal world. While our legislators, over the past some years, have had the political will to pass self-serving laws – including those that allow a disqualified person to be the leader of a political party, or those that wipe out the requirement for disclosure of assets by parliamentarians – there has been no time (or will) to enact laws relating to reform of the criminal justice system.* Why?
That the tenure of the military courts will be extended for (some) period, seems to be a foregone political reality.* However, it is hoped** (and prayed) that the PTI government and its Naya Pakistan will (at least attempt to***) succeed where its predecessors have failed. And in the process,**** through introduction of the necessary reforms, the people of Pakistan will once again be able to renew their faith in our (civilian) criminal justice system. [Skeptical footnotes supplied.]
** On what basis?
*** What makes you think this?
**** In the next two years?
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