KARACHI: In a major move to reform the criminal justice system, the Government of Sindh has established a specialized 10-member sub-committee dedicated to the rigorous pre-trial scrutiny of criminal case challans (charge sheets). The Sindh Law Department has officially issued the notification for this initiative, appointing DIG Crime & Investigation Sindh, Amir Farooqi, as the chairman of the committee. The high-level body comprises senior officials from various law enforcement and prosecution agencies, including DIG West Irfan Baloch, AIG Legal Ali Sher Jakhrani, Director Legal Anti-Corruption Muhammad Ashraf Soomro, alongside representatives from the DG Narcotics Wing, Excise Department, and top prosecution officers.
Under the government notification, the primary mandate of this committee is to formulate comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and a structured mechanism for the pre-trial scrutiny of criminal cases. This measure is designed to ensure that the challans presented before courts are legally airtight, significantly strengthening the state’s position during trials. Furthermore, the body is tasked with identifying existing legal and administrative hurdles within criminal proceedings and compiling actionable recommendations to present to the government. Ultimately, this strategic step aims to standardize the investigation process, improve overall prosecution quality, and eliminate technical loopholes, thereby reducing unnecessary delays in judicial verdicts and ensuring a more efficient justice delivery system.
