Video recording of statements in rape cases necessary for result-oriented trial: secretary

MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Feb, 2026) Secretary Prosecution Punjab Salman Ghani on Friday highlighted the need for effective enforcement of Anti-rape (Investigations and Trial) Act to ensure the rape and sexual violence victims get justice sans any delay and criminals awarded punishments they deserved.

Speaking at a three-day workshop witnessing prosecutors and police investigators as participants on the second day here Friday, Salman Ghani laid emphasis on video recording of statements under section 164 Cr.P.C in cases where women are reported as victims of assault.

In compliance with the orders of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, today’s session was specifically focused on effective prosecution of rape cases, Ghani said, adding that sometimes witnesses turn hostile after giving initial statements and weaken the assault cases targeting women.

He said, learned courts should keep these statements in focus so that witnesses can be proceeded against once they turn hostile.

He said, there should be some strategy in place to hold hostile witnesses accountable, adding that video recording would serve as solid evidence to proceed against such witnesses and would ensure the process of dispensation of justice continued to move on.

Senior advocate Sheheryar Ahsan, Incharge Prosecution High Court Multan Bench Abdul Wadood, and district prosecutor Imtiaz Rasool Cheema gave an insight into effective recording of evidence, video recording, and inter-departmental cooperation to prosecutors and investigators for their awareness and capacity enhancement.