Training For Excellence Of Anti-Terrorism Courts Started

A three-day specialized training for excellence of Anti-Terrorism Courts commenced at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy on Thursday

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Jul, 2024) A three-day specialized training for excellence of Anti-Terrorism Courts commenced at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial academy on Thursday.

26 participants including Judges of Anti-Terrorism Courts, District and Sessions Judges, Prosecutors, Police Officers, Investigators and other stakeholders connected with the performance of Anti-Terrorism Courts are participating in the training program. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Chief Justice Peshawar High Court/Chairman BoG, graced the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest.

Registrar, PHC, Jehanzeb Shinwari, Barrister Ikhtiar Khan; Director General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy, Zia ur Rehman; Dean Faculty, and all the Directors of the Academy attended the event.

The Director General of the Academy, in his welcome note, highlighted the concept, objectives and significance of the specialized training program.

He expressed that Anti-Terrorism Courts and the Counter Terrorism Department, with the assistance of Prosecution, play a crucial role in combating terrorism. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the system seems hindered by the low rate of convictions and delayed trials.

Director General Academy further highlighted that the Academy has designed this comprehensive training program with the aim and objective to enhance the participants’ understanding of terrorism laws, develop their expertise in handling complex evidence, conduct fair and effective trials, foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing amongst the stakeholders, and to promote uniformity in the application of terrorism laws, which would ultimately strengthen the province’s counter-terrorism efforts.

Chief Justice, Peshawar High Court, Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim in his remarks, spoke about the history and need for establishing the Anti-Terrorism Courts in 1997. As Chief Justice, he assured his commitment in strengthening the courts in terms of capacity building and resources.

He applauded the Academy for arranging and conducting the activity. He also encouraged the participants to actively participate in the training to effectively deal with the emerging challenges of deeply organized enterprises of terrorism.

Highlighting the peculiar circumstances of cases of terrorism, the chief justice, placed great emphasis on the significance of accurate collection of circumstantial evidence by the Investigating officer and required appreciation of circumstantial evidence by the Anti-Terrorism Courts.

The training will conclude on 20th July 2024.