PESHAWAR: A three-day specialized training for excellence of Anti-Terrorism Courts commenced at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy on Thursday. Twenty six participants including Judges of Anti-Terrorism Courts, District and Sessions Judges, Prosecutors, Police Officers, Investigators and other stakeholders connected with performance of Anti-Terrorism Courts are participating in the training program. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Chief Justice Peshawar High Court/Chairman BoG, graced the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest. Barrister Ikhtiar Khan, Registrar, PHC, Jehanzeb Shinwari, Director General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy, Zia ur Rehman, Dean Faculty, and all the Directors of the Academy attended the event. The Director General of the Academy, in his welcome note, highlighted the concept, objectives and significance of the specialized training program. He expressed that Anti-Terrorism Courts and the Counter Terrorism Department, with the assistance of Prosecution, play a crucial role in combating terrorism. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the system seems hindered by low rate of convictions and delayed trails. These issues stem from systemic deficiencies, including poor investigation and poor evidence collection, inadequate skills and resources, witness intimidation, judicial inefficiencies and prosecutorial challenges. These factors seem contributing to low rate of convections. Ultimately, these challenges undermine public confidence in the criminal justice system and hinder the counter-terrorism efforts. APP
