‘Witness protection programme up but not running as it lacks funds’

WPP chief says recommendations submitted to the govt include enacting law that allows changing identities of witnesses and relocating them

Karachi

The Sindh government, as part of it efforts to strengthen its prosecution system and achieve a higher conviction rate, has launched a witness protection programme (WPP).

In an exclusive interview, counter-terrorism department chief Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi, who has been appointed the WPP’s head, spoke about the strategies being chalked out to run the programme effectively and smoothly. Following are the excerpts of the interview.

The News: How far has the process of completing infrastructural formalities of the WPP progressed?

Sanaullah Abbasi: After my appointment as the programme’s chief, I held a meeting with the officials of the Crime Branch, the CTD and other units, and devised a plan to activate the WPP.  A committee, after thorough deliberations, submitted some recommendations to the government including the enactment of a law required for changing the identities of witnesses and relocating them inside the country and abroad.

It was decided that the office of the CTD chief and the infrastructure of the department including offices at the CPO and Civil Lines would be used for the witness protection unit.

The unit could either be set up at the CPO or at the CTD Complex, both being more secure than the secretariat. Besides, I will also nominate a police officer of grade 18 or 19 to act as my deputy to run the affairs of the unit.

TN: Has the government released the funds required to run the WPP?

SA: We have asked the government to release the funds needed to activate the WPP and hire safe houses. A separate budget head, after its approval, will also be used by the unit’s disbursing officers to release funds for the cost of investigation and the protection of witnesses as well as the investigating officers probing high-profile terrorism cases.

The government has been also been approached for the provision of government buildings including the Sindh House and other places that can be used temporarily for the provision of security to witnesses.

We have been not allocated any funds so far, and the home secretary and the chief secretary have been asked to address this problem.

TN: Is the witness protection unit equipped with the manpower it needs?

SA: Until the appointment of witness protection officers by the government, the staff of other police units can be used on a deputation basis. Later, a force of witness protection officers can be formed on the pattern of the US Marshals Service. I have also written a letter to home department to activate the WPP as per the requirement of Sindh Witness Protection Act 2013.

It was also requested that witness protection officers be appointed or transferred from other police units on a deputation basis.

TN: Have you studied and observed the witness protection programmes in other countries?

SA: We following in the lines of the US Marshal Service, which monitors the WPP and provides security to judges, witnesses and prisoners also.

In a nutshell, the Marshall Services protects the overall judicial process and the pattern has been adopted by other countries.

TN: There have been many hiring in the police department on a political basis. Don't you think this will affect the whole project, as those loyal to one political party or the other might leak information about witnesses?

SA: It depends on how a commander utilises his force. We will select officers for the unit after complete screening and ensure that they are professional, impartial and neutral.

TN: There are several cases pending in courts for years because of poor prosecution. What is being done to address that problem?

SA: The protection of witnesses is one of major factors behind poor prosecution and that’s why we believe that the WPP will help overcome the problem.