Pakistan: Whether there is any state protection provided to police officers involved in identifying, arresting or testifying against Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) members (2001-2003)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 25 April 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAK41453.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Pakistan: Whether there is any state protection provided to police officers involved in identifying, arresting or testifying against Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) members (2001-2003), 25 April 2003, PAK41453.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4def15.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No information on whether there is any state protection provided to police officers involved in identifying, arresting or testifying against Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) members could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
A 24 March 2002 article in The News describes the low remuneration and dangerous working conditions for police officers in Pakistan. Many police officers have been killed in terrorist-related conflicts over the last few years, and, as one officer stated,
"[i]n addition to physical risks, there are other pressures as well on the police like reluctance on the part of witnesses to testify, delays in prosecution of accused combined with apparent unwillingness of judicial officers to take up terrorism cases" .... Recently when Sheikh Omar, the prime suspect in the Pearl case had to undergo an identification parade, no magistrate was ready to conduct it and most went on a sudden leave. "Finally a female magistrate showed the courage to do the job," said a federal law ministry official (The News 24 Mar. 2002).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
The News. 24 March 2002. Rana Jawad. "While They Were Praying." Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
LEXIS/NEXIS
Unsuccessful attempts to obtain information from the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Lahore High Court.
Internet sites, including:
Amnesty International
Country Reports 2002
Dawn
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
Jane's Intelligence Review
Lahore High Court
Rediff.com
World News Connection