Lahore High Court CJ angry at privacy breach of rape victims

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum of the Lahore High Court has  expressed dissatisfaction that the identity of rape and sexual assault victims is not kept private, adding that maintaining that privacy is very important. 

The Chief Justice was heading a full bench of the Lahore High Court, looking into the implementation of Anti-Rape Act 2021. 

While admitting that evidence must be presented in court, she said that video and audio recordings and other evidences must be legally secured under the Qanun-i-Shahadat (the law of evidence). 

Punjab Prosecutor General Syed Farhad Ali Shah, acting Advocate General of Punjab Baleeghur Rehman Chaudhry and Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar appeared before the bench which also included Justice Ali Zia Bajwa and Justice Farooq Haider. 

The advocate general submitted a report, stating that it was a federal law with certain gaps.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum then said, “This is like putting the court and the nation on a wild goose chase.”

The court also expressed unhappiness on the absence of the Attorney General who was reportedly in Islamabad. 

The IGP informed the court that there had been 5,000 cases of abduction and 7,000 honour killings of women.

He stressed that special officers are being trained to handle investigative matters.

The bench then adjourned the hearing.