LAHORE: The Punjab cabinet has finally approved the witness protection bill, providing measures that would prevent elimination, intimidation or winning over of witnesses and help ensure the conviction of criminals and terrorists, according to a report by a private media outlet. But witnesses are often killed, browbeaten or bought because of lack of any protection for them from the state. According to a copy of the finalised draft of the Punjab Witness Protection Act, 2018, there will be two witness protection units — one for offences of terrorism and another for serious offences. It will also frame policy guidelines for witness protection. The draft law allows a court to conduct in-camera proceedings of specific cases to ensure the protection of witnesses.

Source: Pakistan Today February 19, 2018 04:30 UTC