'Absence of insurgency laws benefiting terrorists'

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Arshad Abdullah, has said that the lack of insurgency laws are benefiting the arrested suspect terrorists and called for speedy introduction of specific laws in the country. Speaking in Guest Hour Programme held here under the auspices of Peshawar Press Club, the provincial minister for law said that they had proposed amendments in anti-terror laws. However, it struck off in the Standing Committee of the Senate.
He said that more than 600 FIRs were registered in Malakand operation with average of four accused in each case. However, he said that they have no idea about the number of under detention suspects. He said that 98 percent arrested suspects have been set free by the courts.
The law minister said that the provincial government had proposed the appointment of special anti-terrorism judges, saying presently three each were working in Swat and Peshawar. He said that they have also proposed extending anti-terror powers to all Additional, Sessions Judges and considering of confession in front of District Police Officer (DPO) and admissible in court.
He said that the provincial government is working on Access to Information Bill to enable media and general public to collect details into any matter of public interest. He said that one of the good features of the 18th Constitutional Amendment is the right of access to information and the devolution of the subject to the provincial governments.
He said that federal government has already made legislation while the department of law, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is working with the department of information is working to make the government more accountable. He said that under the drafted legislation every department will have its own focal person, who could be contacted for this purpose.
In obtaining of any information, an application would be filed with the official concerned and the required documents would be provided on the payment of the expenses of the photostats. The department of law, he said, has completed its work on its own part and now it is looking towards the department of information for its preparation to present it in the provincial assembly for approval.