LAHORE: The difference of opinion between the law and the home departments over the first ever witness protection bill has been reportedly resolved and it is being fast given final shape for immediate promulgation as an ordinance and introduction in the provincial assembly as a bill.

The bill has been designed to protect witnesses particularly in cases of terrorism or heinous crime so as to ensure punishment to the culprits, or to encourage witnesses hold their ground without any fear. It was approved by the Punjab cabinet sub-committee on legislation but could not be finalised because of the changes brought in it by the law department.

The authors of the law had maintained that the changes by the law department had bulldozed its very purpose. But the law department had said that the draft was merely approved by the committee in principle and it was required to be perused to eliminate any legal or procedural weaknesses.

Officials said that the difference of opinion had been removed between the two departments and now a new draft was being fast prepared.

The stated aims and objectives of the proposed law are to provide for special measures to protect a witness or a person, connected with investigation, prosecution and trial of a criminal case, who is vulnerable to threat to life and property.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2017