Islamabad, Aug 15 (ANI): Pakistan prosecutors say that the lack of proper investigation is the "basic reason" for higher rate of acquittal in the terrorism related cases in the country.
They also claimed that the lack of administrative support over the safety of the lawyers is also another factor, The Dawn reports.
"Terrorists threaten us. They are influential and well informed. They not only know our office timings, but also the schools and colleges where our children study," a public prosecutor said.
In the first seven months this year, the three Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) in Rawalpindi acquitted 56 accused in terrorist cases out of a total of 96 cases. Out of 33 cases, the ATC-1 has acquitted 20 accused, while only six were convicted. The rest of the seven cases were closed due to other reasons. Similarly ATC-II released 22 accused, convicted only three and closed down eight cases.
The ATC-III convicted 12 accused out of the 30 cases it decided in the first seven months this year. It allowed 14 accused to walk free and closed down four cases, the paper said.
Although the prosecutor agreed that poor probe is the "basic reason" for higher rate of acquittal, he insisted that internal and external pressure is also affecting the prosecutors' progress.
A former Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Police and currently a practicing lawyer in Rawalpindi says lawyers are terrified to take up such cases because terrorists are powerful, adding: "They threaten to kill police officials, prosecutors and their family members."
He also proposed trial through video conferencing to ensure security and safety of all, but insisted that it would "need a change in Qanoon-i-Shahadat (Evidence Act)." (ANI)
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