Around 55 Proposed Criminal Procedure Amendments Are Non-Political in Nature, Says Law Minister
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has said that nearly 55 proposed amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) are purely non-political and aimed at modernizing the country’s criminal justice system.
Speaking during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Raja Khurram Nawaz, the minister briefed members on the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Tarar noted that the existing Code of Criminal Procedure was inherited from the British colonial era and, although many provisions remain relevant, certain sections need to be updated to meet contemporary requirements.
He said that technological advancements such as video recordings, CCTV footage, SMS messages, and WhatsApp communications have become important sources of evidence, but current laws do not adequately address their admissibility and legal protection in criminal proceedings.
The minister added that while online FIR registration has already been introduced, a proper legal framework is still needed for the transmission and processing of such complaints. He pointed out that major legal reforms were last undertaken in 1972 and 1991, with little comprehensive work carried out since then.
According to Tarar, the proposed amendments are intended to strengthen the criminal justice system, ensure that offenders do not escape punishment, and improve access to justice for complainants. He argued that existing laws often provide greater procedural advantages to accused persons while offering limited support to victims.
Highlighting challenges within the system, the law minister said conviction rates remain between 10 and 15 percent due to weaknesses in investigations and capacity issues within law enforcement agencies. Poor-quality investigations, he said, often leave judges with no option but to acquit suspects.
He revealed that the reform package was developed after 16 to 17 working sessions with criminal law experts and incorporates written recommendations from bar associations, bar councils, and judicial officers.
Tarar suggested that members of the standing committee dedicate time during or after the federal budget session to review the proposed amendments in detail.
The committee subsequently postponed consideration of the bill for one week. It was decided that meetings scheduled for next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will focus exclusively on discussions regarding the government’s Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill.
