Balochistan Assembly committee reviews witness protection amendment bill

QUETTA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th May, 2026) The Balochistan Assembly Standing Committee on Home, reviewed the proposed Balochistan Witness Protection (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed to strengthen the law, aligned it with current legal requirements, and brought it closer to international best practices.

The meeting, chaired by Khair Jan Baloch, was attended by Provincial Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau, Members Provincial Assembly, Asghar Tareen and Ali Madad Jattak, Assembly Secretary, Tahir Shah Kakar, Deputy Inspector General, Counter Terrorism Department, Aitzaz Ahmed Goraya, and other senior officials.

During the meeting, the committee examined the Balochistan Witness Protection Act 2016 and acknowledged that practical and administrative shortcomings in its implementation had made reforms essential.

One of the key changes under consideration was the redefinition of serious crimes, limiting them to offenses punishable by seven years or more in prison. This adjustment is intended to ensure that protection resources were concentrated on high-risk cases.

The definition of witnesses would also be expanded to include victims, complainants, and affected individuals, making the law more comprehensive and victim-centered.

Additional provisions included measures to safeguard protected witnesses by altering their identifying details and establishing secure facilities for recording testimony, thereby shielding them from threats and intimidation.

Institutional reforms were also proposed, such as reconstituting the Witness Protection Advisory board with judicial representation, clarifying quorum requirements, and creating local sub-units to improve accessibility and effectiveness.

The committee expressed confidence that these reforms would strengthen the witness protection system in Balochistan, making it more transparent and effective. Members noted that such measures would encourage citizens to participate in the justice system without fear, thereby reinforcing public trust in the rule of law.