Media should raise voice for institutionalising Rule of Law Reforms in public interest: Experts

February 23: In a robust dialogue with media

persons and journalists, a panel of experts urged the media to be more proactive

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in raising its voice for institutionalising Rule of Law reforms in Pakistan.

In the dialogue organised by PILDAT, its Rule

of Law (RoL) Committee of Experts highlighted key issues and proposed reforms

to strengthen Rule of Law and access to justice in Pakistan. Prominent media

persons, Parliamentarians, experts and youth representatives joined the lively

discussion.

Speaking at the session, Mian Mahmud

ur Rasheed, MPA, (PP 151, Lahore-XV, Punjab, PTI), Leader of opposition

in Punjab Assembly said that mind-set, especially of elite class, should be

changed for reforming Rule of Law in the country. Budget of police have been

increased in Punjab but Thana culture could not change as yet. He said empowering

the institutions is important for improving rule of law situation in province.

The panel speakers observed that media’s

objective role and support are critical for bringing about much needed Rule

of Law reforms in Pakistan. Key issues facing the country, such as terrorism,

corruption, sluggish economic growth, flight of talent and capital, dysfunctional

justice system etc., are all manifestations of weak and ad hoc Rule of Law implementation.

During the dialogue, the Committee of Experts

also shared with the media a proposed Reform Agenda. The agenda has been prepared

through countrywide consultations held by PILDAT since August 2015 with public

representatives, subject experts, legal practitioners and journalists to discuss

specific ways and means for strengthening of Police, Prosecution Services, and

Free Legal Aid system in Pakistan.

The discussion focused on how the media can

make political executive, police, lawyers, prosecutors and other relevant authorities

responsive and accountable to their roles to ensure access to justice. Experts

also shared international experiences from India and the U.K. on how the local

media collaborated with civil society to generate awareness and successfully

moved local authorities to provide community justice.

Participants also discussed the fast elapsing

timeline for instituting Rule of Law reforms in the context of the 2-year sunset

clause placed under the 21st amendment to the Constitution. They reiterated

that Rule of Law is established when the most powerful submit before the law

— no body is above the law.

Speakers also endorsed the need for training

and encouraged journalists to use the Right to Information law frequently and

to continuously play their watchdog role. They agreed that media should report

on and advocate for the need of an effective criminal justice system. They also

lauded PILDAT’s efforts for building their awareness on Rule of Law.

The PILDAT Committee of Experts who spoke at

the Briefing included Dr. Shoaib Suddle, Former IG Police;

and Dr. Suhail Shahzad, Dean, Faculty of Law & Administrative

Sciences, Hazara University. The other speakers include Mr. Abid Saqi,

Member Pakistan Bar Council, Mr. Mujib ur Rehman Shami, Editor

in Chief Daily Pakistan and Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Senior Anchor.

President PILDAT, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob,

stressed that media should be an ally in strengthening a RoL movement in Pakistan

in genuine public interest.

Key points of the Rule of Law Reform Agenda shared with the media and other

civil society actors include:  

  • Allocation of funds and increase in budget for Police;
  • Amendment in Section 154 of Code of Criminal Procedure

    1898;

  • FIRs to be made simple, online and computerised;
  • No arrest to be made after FIR without evidence;
  • Protection of witnesses through enactment of relevant laws

    to prevent resiling testimony from witnesses;

  • Establishment of Legal Aid Authority at Federal and Provincial

    level; and

  • Enactment of Public Defenders & Legal Aid Office Ordinance

    2007.

The Briefing Session was organised by PILDAT

as part of Reforms in Rule of Law in Pakistan project,

supported by Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) under the Enhanced Democratic

Accountability and Civic Engagement (EDACE) project.

For Further Information:

Email: info@pildat.org

/ Sabahat.afsheen@pildat.org

Mobile: +92 334 4548452

Twitter: @RoLPakistan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuleOfLaw.pk

Website: https://www.pildat.org