Prospects and Barriers of Witness Protection Laws in Pakistan

Abstract

Aim of the Study: Focusing on provincial laws in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and exploring international, Islamic, and U.N. perspectives, the study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of witnesses' challenges in participating in criminal trials. The research also investigates the impact of cultural and social factors on implementing witness protection laws, the risks witnesses encounter in high-profile cases, and the perceptions of protection among witnesses.

Methodology: This study employed a systematic review methodology, with research objectives established accordingly. A comprehensive literature review was conducted (Komba & Lwoga, 2020).

Findings: Research findings were categorized based on their content (Hiver et al., 2021; Petticrew & Roberts, 2006), and classified information was incorporated into the study by organizing it into headings (Gan et al., 2021; Pawson et al., 2005). The evaluation of classified information and titles formed the basis of the study (Page, 2021; Rahi, 2017), ensuring the integrity of the research subject and its contents (Egger et al., 2022; Victor, 2008).

Conclusion: The study concluded that adapting international experiences to the Pakistani context requires careful consideration of legal, cultural, and institutional factors. The complexities of witness protection, including balancing the accused's rights with the witnesses' safety, underscore the need for tailored legislative and procedural measures. Addressing challenges such as witness credibility, budgetary constraints, and potential politicization of protection efforts is essential for the success of witness protection laws in Pakistan. In light of escalating incidents of witness killings and intimidation, urgent action is required to strengthen witness protection frameworks through legislative reforms, investment in resources, capacity building, and interagency collaboration.