A Critical Appraisal of the Criminal Justice System's Framework in Pakistan: Options for Reducing Abuse of Process

Authors

  • Faisal Awais Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Superior University, Punjab, Lahore.
  • Noman Ali Shah Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Superior University, Punjab, Lahore.

Keywords:

Criminal Justice System,, Pakistan, Abuse of Process, Legal Procedures

Abstract

In the context of administering criminal justice, the prevention of abuse of process of law or system within legal processes stands as a paramount concern, particularly in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. However, this research paper undertakes a thorough examination of the mechanism formulated to ameliorate the abuse of legal procedures within Pakistani criminal justice system. Using a holistic approach that incorporates philosophy of law, case laws evaluation, and institutional surveillance, this research paper intends to explain the root causes and evidences of procedural abuse. Through comparative analysis of the international framework, this research article aims to identify the best practices and culture that could be adopted in Pakistan. This research article provides a comprehensive analysis of case laws and policy assessments to examine the effectiveness and limitations of current preventive approaches. As a result, the findings of the research reveal structural problems and clear tendencies in the procedural abuse, which means that there is a need for radical changes in legislation and the functioning of the institutions. Some of the recommended strategic directions are the increase in judicial supervision, strict compliance with the procedure, and the improvement of the transparency and accountability of the legal system. Thus, by providing a contribution to the existing body of knowledge and policy debate, this study calls for long-lasting changes that would enhance procedural openness and restore the confidence of the people of Pakistan in the criminal justice system.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

United Nations Development Programme. (2023, February 1). Addressing impunity: Role of justice in governance. United Nations Development Programme. Retrieved August 1, 2024, from https://www.undp.org/africa/publications/non-paper-addressing-impunity-role-justice-governance

Amir, F., Muhammad, A., & Jan, J. (2022). Judicial activism at the cost of separation of power in Pakistan: A comparison of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and Justice Saqib Nisar’s era. Pakistan Journal of Social Research, 4(3), 589–598. https://doi.org/10.52567/pjsr.v4i03.748

Saqib, K. (2021). Behavioural consequences of police officials during investigation. Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 2(III), 135–141. https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2021(2-iii)13

Rafal, G. S. (2021). Forensic digest: The discourse on heinous crimes in Mindanao Court of Appeals. Journal of East and Southeast Asian Law, 3(2), 109–109. https://doi.org/10.26418/jeltim.v3i2.45430

Lodhi, A. (2021). Articulation of the right to fair trial and forensic science in the criminal justice system of Pakistan. Pakistan Law and Human Rights Journal, 5(II). https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2021(5-ii-sep)1.09

Saeed, M. (2020). Assessing the efficiency of the district courts of Pakistan—Why is better evaluation needed? Asian Court Journal, 1(3), 418–438. https://doi.org/10.14296/ac.v1i3.5165

Lodhi, A. (2021). Articulation of the right to fair trial and forensic science in the criminal justice system of Pakistan. Pakistan Law and Human Rights Journal, 5(II). https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2021(5-ii-sep)1.09

Morgan, J. (2023). Wrongful convictions and claims of false or misleading forensic evidence. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 68(3), 908–961. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15233

Jankov, F. F. F. (2020). Revisiting the doctrine of state jurisdiction in international criminal law. Journal of International Criminal Law, 64, 161–169. https://doi.org/10.5937/spz64-29795

Majcher, I. (2022). GCM objective 13: In search of synergies with the UN human rights regime to foster the rule of law in the area of immigration detention. Laws, 11(4), 52. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws11040052

U.S. Department of State. (2023, February 6). Country reports on human rights practices - Pakistan. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved August 4, 2024, from https://www.refworld.org/docid/559bd54a28.html

Saqib, K. (2021). Behavioural consequences of police officials during investigation. Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 2(III), 135–141. https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2021(2-iii)13

Rehman, M. A. U. S. A. B. D. T. U. (2022). Socioeconomic causes of youth violence and aggression in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.52337/pjia.v5i4.642

Brooks, G. (2019). Judicial corruption: Magistrates, judges and prosecutors. In Corruption and reform: Lessons from America (pp. 131–157). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16038-8_6

Rehman, M. A. U. S. A. B. D. T. U. (2022). Socioeconomic causes of youth violence and aggression in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.52337/pjia.v5i4.642

Rehman, M. A. U. S. A. B. D. T. U. (2022). Socioeconomic causes of youth violence and aggression in Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.52337/pjia.v5i4.642

International Crisis Group. (2024, February 6). Pakistan: Inching toward contested elections. International Crisis Group. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-asia/pakistan/pakistan/b178-inching-toward-contested-elections

United Nations Development Programme. (2023, June 1). Citizens legal awareness and perception of rule of law and access to justice in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. United Nations Development Programme. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://www.undp.org/pakistan/publications/policy-brief-citizens-legal-awareness-and-perception-rule-law-and-access-justice-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-and-balochistan

Saqib, K. (2021). Behavioural consequences of police officials during investigation. Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 2(III), 135–141. https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2021(2-iii)13

U.S. Department of State. (2023, February 6). Country reports on human rights practices - Pakistan. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved August 5, 2024, from https://www.refworld.org/docid/559bd54a28.html

Mushtaq, M., & Mirza, Z. S. (2021). Understanding the nexus between horizontal inequalities, ethno-political conflict and political participation: A case study of Balochistan. Asian Journal of Political Science, 21(3), 221–237. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449057.2021.1920734

Saeed, M. (2020). Assessing the efficiency of the district courts of Pakistan—Why is better evaluation needed? Asian Court Journal, 1(3), 418–438. https://doi.org/10.14296/ac.v1i3.5165

Lakho, A. F. M. K. (2022). A sociological review of long proceedings in the courts from the point of view of judicial officers and advocates. Pakistan Journal of International Affairs, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.52337/pjia.v5i3.583

International Commission of Jurists. (2024, February 12). Authority without accountability: The search for justice in Pakistan. International Commission of Jurists. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://www.refworld.org/reference/countryrep/icjurists/2013/en/98282

Sarfraz, A., Sarfraz, Z., Sarfraz, M., & Qarnain, Z. (2022). Gender-based violence in Pakistan and public health measures: A call to action. World Health Organization Journal, 100(7), 462–464. https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.21.287188

Haider Ali v. DPO Chakwal, (2015) SCMR 1724 (Supreme Court of Pakistan). Retrieved August 10, 2024.

Naveed Ahmed v. State, (2023) YLR 1449 (Karachi High Court, Sindh). Retrieved August 10, 2024.

Yasir Khan v. State, (2022) MLD 1070 (Islamabad). Retrieved August 10, 2024.

Noor Hassan alias Noora v. State, (2019) MLD 1671 (Islamabad). Retrieved August 10, 2024.

Naseeb Ullah v. State, (2014) PLD 69 (Peshawar High Court). Retrieved August 13, 2024.

Meem Bahadur v. State, (2013) PCrLJ 1490 (Peshawar High Court). Retrieved August 13, 2024.

Downloads

Published

03-12-2024

How to Cite

A Critical Appraisal of the Criminal Justice System’s Framework in Pakistan: Options for Reducing Abuse of Process. (2024). Traditional Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 3(02), 71-85. https://ojs.traditionaljournaloflaw.com/index.php/TJLSS/article/view/175

Similar Articles

1-10 of 34

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.