Haider Hussain Vs. Government of Pakistan

IN THE FEDERAL SHARIAT COURT

( O rig in a l J u r is d ic tio n ) s

«r ' PRESEN T:

/ H O N .M R .JU STIC E DR.TANZIL-UR-RAHM AN -

H O N .M R .JU STIC E IBADAT YAR KHAN

H O N .M R .JU STIC E D R .FID A MUHAMMAD KHAN

CHIEF JU S T IC E •

H O N .M R .JU STIC E ABDUL RAZZAQ A.THAHIM

H O N .M R .JU STIC E ABAID ULLAH KHAN

1.SHARIAT PETITIO N N O .17/1 o f 1989.

H a id er H u ssain P e titio n e r V e rsu s G ov ern m en t o f P a k is ta n & o th e r s R e s p o n d e n ts F or P e titio n e r P e titio n e r in p e r s o n . F or R e s p o n d e n ts M r.M uham m ad Nawaz A b b asi.A A G P u n jal M r.A b d u l G hafoor M angi,A A G S in d .

M r.S h a h a b u d d in B u rq ,L a w O ffic e r NWFI R aja Muhammad A f s a r , AG B a lu c h is ta n F o r F e d e ra l G overnm ent Hafiz S .A . R e h m a n ,S ta n d in g C o u n sel D ate o f In s titu tio n 4 .1 2 .1 9 8 9 . ^ D a t® o f H e a rin g 5 .3 .1 9 9 0 , 2 5 .3 .1 9 9 1 , 2 0 .5 .1 9 9 1 , 23.5.1991.J

2. SHARIAT PETITIO N N O .3/1 OF 1990.

S y e d Is la m -u d -D in P e titio n e r V e rsu s G o vernm ent o f P a k is ta n R e s p o n d e n ts F or P e titio n e r P e titio n e r in p e r s o n . F or R e s p o n d e n ts M r.M uham m ad Nawaz A b b asi.A A G P u n ja b M r.A b d u l G hafoor M angi,A A G S in d . t M r.S h a h a b u d d in B u r q , Law O ffic e r NWFP R aja Muhammad A fs a r , AG B a lu c h is ta n F o r F e d e ra l G overnm ent H afiz S .A .R e h m a n , S ta n d in g C o u n sel-'-’^ * D ate o f In s titu tio n 22-2-1990 D a te so f H earin g 5 .3 .1 9 9 0 , 2 5 .3 .1 9 9 1 , 2 0 .5 .1 9 9 1 , 23.5.19911

3. SHARIAT PETITIO N N 0 .2 /K OF 1991.

Muhammad S h a fi Muhammadi P e titio n e r V e rsu s F e d e ra tio n of P a k is ta n a n d R e s p o n d e n ts a n o th e r F o r P e titio n e r P e titio n e r in p e r s o n . F o r R e s p o n d e n ts M r.M uham m ad Nawaz A b b a si, AAG P u n jab M r.A b d u l G hafoor M angi,A A G S in d .

M r. Shahabuddin B u r q , Law O ffice r NWFP R aja Muhammad A fs a r , AG B a lu c h ista n F or F e d e ra l G o vernm ent H afiz S .A .R e h m a n , S ta n d in g C ounsel D ate o f In s titu tio n 1 8 .2 .1 9 9 1 .

D a te so f h e a r in g 5 .3 .1 9 9 0 , 2 5 .3 .1 9 9 1 , 2 0 .5 .1 9 9 1 , 2 3 .5 .1 9 9 1 D ate o f d ecisio n 2 3 .5 .1 9 9 1 .

-o -

A

JUDGMENT:

DR.TANZIL-UR-RAHM AN, CHIEF JU S T IC E .- B y th is

ju d g m e n t i t is p ro p o s e d to d isp o se o f S h a ria t P e titio n s b e a r in g N o s. 17/1 o f 1989, 3/1 o f 1990, a n d 2/K o f 1991 filed a t Islam ab ad a n d K a ra c h i, e a c h c h a lle n g in g , in its own w ay , th e sp e c ific p ro v is io n s o f th e Q a n u n -e - S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984 a n d th e C rim inal P ro c e d u re C ode, 1898, w hich w ere d is p o se d of by u s,o n c o n clu sio n o f h e a r in g , b y o u r s h o r t- o r d e r d a te d 23-5-1991 w hich r e a d s as u n d e r : -

" T h is O rd e r will d isp o se o f th r e e S h a ria t P e titio n s b e a r in g N o s .S .P .N o . 17/1 o f 1989, S .P .N o .3 /I o f 1990 a n d S .P .N o .2 /K o f 1991.

In th e s e S h a ria t P e titio n s th e p e titio n e rs h a v e , in th e ir ow n w ay , c h a lle n g e d A rtic le s 3 a n d 16 o f Q a n o o n -e- S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984 a n d S e c tio n s 337, 338, 339 a n d 494 o f C r .P . C . on th e g ro u n d t h a t th e y a r e r e p u g n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam .

F o r re a s o n s to b e r e c o r d e d la te r s e p a r a te ly , i t is d e c la re d t h a t in o u r v iew - A rtic le 3 o f Q a n o o n -e -S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984 is n o t r e p u g ­ n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam a s la id dow n in th e Holy Q u ra n a n d S u n n a h o f th e Holy P r o p h e t( S .A .W .) .

A rtic le 16 o f th e Q a n o o n -e -S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984 is r e p u g n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam a s la id dow n in th e Holy Q u ra n a n d S u n n a h o f th e Holy P r o p h e t( S .A .W .) in so f a r as it p ro v id e s t h a t an accom plice is co m p eten t w itn e ss a g a in s t an a c c u s e d p e r s o n in all m a tte rs o th e r th a n H ad d , e v e n if h is e v id e n c e is u n c o r r o b o r a te d . We a r e o f th e view t h a t th e o ffen c e p u n is h a b le w ith Q isa s, lik e H a d d , is also to b e e x c e p te d . In so f a r a s th e u n c o rro b o ra te d te stim o n y o f a n accom plice in a n o ffe n c e liab le to t a 'z i r is c o n c e rn e d , th e c o n v ic tio n so lely b a s e d on h is e v id e n c e w ould b e illegal, u n le s s th e r e is c o rro b o ra tiv e e v id e n c e to s u p p o r t th e c o n v ic ­ tio n . S e c tio n s 337 a n d 338 o f C r . P . C . w hich r e la te to t e n d e r ­ in g o f p a rd o n in g to a n accom plice a r e a g a in s t th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam in r e s p e c t o f th e o ffe n c e s p u n is h a b le w ith H ad d . I t is n o tic e a b le th a t S e c tio n s 337 a n d 338 o f C r .P .C . h a v e a lre a d y b e e n am en d ed b y C rim inal L aw (A m en d m en t)A ct, 1991 w h e rein i t h a s b e e n p ro v id e d t h a t no p e rs o n s h a ll be te n d e r e d p a rd o n who is in v o lv e d in a n o ffen c e r e la tin g to h u r t o r Q atal( J-j-s) w ith o u t p e rm issio n o f th e v ic tim , as th e c a s e m ay b e , o r th e h e ir o f th e v ictim .

n i

So f a r a s te n d e r in g p a rd o n to a n accom plice in c a se o f T a 'z ir is c o n c e rn e d , i t is p e rm issib le o n ly if i t is b a s e d o n p u b lic in t e r e s t a n d d o es n o t in v o lv e h a q u q - u l- I b a d .

In so f a r a s S ectio n 494 o f C r . P . C . is c o n c e rn e d , sin c e th is p o in t is a lre a d y in v o lv e d in tw o o th e r S h a ria t P e titio n s N o s .7 a n d 8/1 o f 1991, we deem it p r o p e r to d e a l w ith th e s a id s e c tio n s w hile d e c id in g th e ab o v e two S h a ria t P e titio n s " .

H erein below a re g iv e n th e re a s o n s fo r th e ab o v e O rd e r.

2.In S h a ria t P e titio n No. 17/1 o f 1989 i t h a s b e e n s ta te d t h a t a n accom plice w ith o u t g r a n tin g p a rd o n u n d e r s e c tio n 337 o r 338 o f C rim inal P ro c e d u re C o d e, 1898 c a n n o t b e a co m p eten t w itn e s s . It h a s , th e r e f o r e , b e e n p ra y e d t h a t A rtic le 16 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984, in th e p r e s e n t fo rm , is a g a in s t th e p rin c ip le s la id dow n in th e Q u r'a n a n d S u n n a h a n d sh o u ld be s t r u c k dow n a n d am en d ed to b r in g it in co n fo rm ity w ith th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam .

In S h a ria t P e titio n N o .3/1 o f 1990 i t h a s b e e n p ra y e d to th is C o u rt to s tr ik e dow n A rtic le s 3 a n d 16 o f Q a n o o n -e- S hahadat O rd e r, 1984, a n d s e c tio n s 337, 338, 339, 494 a n d o th e r sim ilar s e c tio n s o f th e C rim inal P ro c e d u re C ode, 1898 em pow ering th e S ta te a n d th e C o u rts to p a rd o n th e c rim in a ls, as b e in g a g a in s t th e In ju n c tio n s o f th e H oly Q u r 'a n , A h a d ee s, Ijm a' a n d F iq h , a s th e a p p ro v e r is n o t a n 'A d il' ( J u s t ) w itn e s s .

In S h a ria t P e titio n N o .2 /K o f 1991 A rtic le 16 re a d

w ith illu s tr a tio n ( b ) to A rtic le 129 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984, e x c e p t in th e c a se o f an o ffe n c e p u n is h a b le w ith h a d d , s e c tio n s 337 to 339 C r . P . C . h a v e b e e n c h a lle n g e d a s n o t in c o n fo r­ m ity w ith th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam la id dow n in th e Holy Q u r'a n and S u n n a h o f th e Holy P ro p h e t ( *1) 1 lJLa ) .

and

3.T h e a b o v e s a id th r e e S h a ria t P e titio n s w ere d is p o se d of b y o u r s h o r t O rd e r d a te d 2 3 rd May, 1991 on c o n clu sio n o f h e a r in g f o r re a s o n s to b e re c o rd e d s e p a r a te ly , a n d th e s e a r e th e re a s o n s fo r th e sam e.

4.T h is C o u rt h a s go t ju ris d ic tio n u n d e r A rtic le 203D o f th e C o n s titu tio n o f th e Islam ic R e p u b lic o f P a k is ta n , 1973, as in c o rp o ra te d in 1980 b y th e th e n P r e s id e n t a n d C h ie f M artial Law A d m in is tra to r a n d , s u b s e q u e n tly , a d o p te d b y th e N ational Assembly in 1985 (S ee E ig h th c o n s titu tio n a l A m endm ent) to exam ine a law o r a p ro v is io n o f law a s d e fin e d in A rtic le 2 0 3 -B (c ) of th e C o n s titu tio n , 1973 a n d d e c id e th e q u e s tio n w h e th e r th e law o r p ro v is io n o f law is r e p u g n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam la id down in th e Holy Q u r'a n a n d S u n n a h o f th e Holy P r o p h e t( ^1 j ^- 0 ).

T h e re is a lso a C o n stitu tio n a l o b lig atio n o n th e S ta te u n d e r A rtic le 227(1) w hich p ro v id e s th a t all e x is tin g law s s h a ll b e b r o u g h t in co n fo rm ity w ith th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam a s la id dow n in th e Holy Q u r'a n a n d S u n n a h o f th e Holy P ro p h e t ( . j «U I )

a n d t h a t no law s h a ll b e e n a c te d w hich is r e p u g n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam .

5.As p r a y e d fo r in th e a fo re s a id th r e e p e titio n s , th e follow ing p o in ts a re r e q u ir e d to b e d e te rm in e d in th e lig h t o f th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam as la id dow n in th e Holy Q u r'a n a n d S u n n a h o f th e Holy P ro p h e t ( p-L -y ).

I. C o m p eten cy o f w itn e s s (A rtic le 3 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984).

II. C o n v ictio n on sole te stim o n y o f accom plice.

(A rtic le 16 o f Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984).

III. T e n d e r o f p a rd o n to accom plice (se ctio n s 337, 338, 339 a n d 339-A o f th e C r .P .C .1 8 9 8 ) .

IV . W ithdraw al from p ro s e c u tio n (s e c tio n 494 C r . P . C . ) We p ro p o s e to deal w ith th e f i r s t th r e e p o in ts in th is ju d g m e n t. The f o u r th p o in t will b e d e a lt w ith a lo n g w ith o th e r tw o P e titio n s b e a r in g N o s .7/1 a n d 8/1 o f 1991 in v o lv in g th e q u e s tio n o f re m issio n o f s e n te n c e art w ith d ra w a l from p ro s e c u tio n w hich h a v e b e e n re s e rv e d - fo r ju d g m e n t o n th e same d a y .

I. COMPETENCY OF WITNESS (A RTICLE3 OF

THE QANUN-E-SHAHADAT ORDER, 1984).

6.To d eal w ith th e c o m p eten cy o f a w itn e ss in th e S h a ri'a h i t seem s p r o p e r to m en tio n f i r s t a b o u t h is q u a lific a tio n s :

(a ) Taham m ul a l-S h a h a d a h f ; »1 *,*11 J - —~ 1: a n d (b ) A da a l-S h a h a d a h ( S j L— *l j l )

7.T h e follow ing a re th e c o n d itio n s o f Taham m ul S h a h a d a h

(1 ) A w itn e ss m u st b e a sa n e p e r s o n .

(2 ) A w itn e ss m u st b e a p e r s o n who is n o t b lin d .

(3 ) A w itn e ss m u st b e a p e r s o n who h a s w itn e sse d th e M ashhud b ih i ( th e m a tte r in r e s p e c t o f w hich e v id e n c e is g iv e n ) e x c e p t s u c h m a tte rs a re p ro v e a b le b y h e a r s a y e v id e n c e .

8.T h e follow ing a re th e c o n d itio n s o f Ada a l- S h a h a d a h : - ( 3 j L a ^JI

(1)A w itn e ss m u st b e a p e r s o n who is - (a ) b a lig h ( a d u lt) .

( b ) 'a q il (s a n e )

(c ) b a s e e r ( j h a v in g e y e - s ig h t ) ;

( d ) n a tiq ( h a v in g th e fa c u lty o f s p e e c h ) ;

(e ) 'a d il ( j u s t ) ; a n d

(f ) Muslim .

9.In cases w here a n on-M uslim 's e v id e n c e is a c c o rd in g to S h a ria h , a d m issib le , c o n d itio n (f) will n o t a p p ly .

10.E v id en c e o f a m inor s h a ll, s u b je c t to th e follow ing c o n d itio n s , b e ad m issib le in c a s e s r e la tin g to fig h tin g a n d a lte r c a tio n : -

(a ) I f i t r e la te s to a m inor;

(b ) I f it r e la te s to in ju r y a n d m u rd e r, a n d n o t to p r o p e r ty m a tte rs ;

(c )

I f th e m inor w itn e ss is a M uslim, se n sib le a n d in te llig e n t e n o u g h a n d n o t g e n e ra lly k n o w n a s a lia r .

In c a se o f th e M ashhud ’a la ih ( .. I* * * .)

p e r s o n a g a in s t whom e v id e n c e is g iv e n ) b e in g a non-M uslim th e (th e j

c o n d itio n o f a m inor w itn e ss to b e a Muslim s h a ll n o t a p p ly :

(d ) I f e v id e n c e is g iv e n b y m ore th a n one m inor w itn e s s e s ;

(e ) I f th e w itn e ss o r h is p a r e n ts h a v e no en m ity w ith M a sh -h u d 'a la ih o r w ith h is p a r e n ts ;

12.F o r p ro o f o f lin e a g e , d e a th , n ik a h , d u k h u l,( J j __ ) X p e n e tr a tio n ) ju ris d ic tio n o f a Qazi a n d a c tu a lity o f a t r u s t , a n d s u c h m a tte rs a s may b e p ro v e d b y S h a h a d a t-e -S im a 'i ( o j Ia -:)

th e c o n d itio n fo r a w itn e ss to h a v e e y e - s ig h t s h a ll n o t a p p ly .

13.Sim a'i S h a h a d a h ( h e a r s a y e v id e n c e )

m eans e v id e n c e th a t is g iv e n on th e b a s is o f ta w a tu r ( j __ ) o r in fo rm a tio n o f tw o ’a q il, b a lig h , 'a d i l , male p e r s o n s o r o n e male a n d tw o fem ale p e r s o n s b e in g 'a q il, b a lig h a n d 'a d il.

14.E v id en c e b y a dum b p e r s o n s h a ll b e a d m issib le , e x c e p t in c a s e s r e la tin g to " h u d u d ’,' o n ly w hen i t is w ritte n b y th e w itn e ss h im self in th e p re s e n c e o f th e p r e s id in g O ffic e r o f th e C burt.

15.E v id en c e b y a non-M uslim a g a in s t a Muslim s h a ll b e

ad m issib le o n ly w hen it r e la te s to a w a siy y a h ( - _ } will) made d u r in g th e c o u rs e o f a journey w hen no Muslim Shahid is a v a ila b le .

16.I f th e M ash h u d 'a la ih ( .. u ■*

Muslim th e w itn e ss m ay b e a non-M uslim . ( I b r fu ll d is c u s s io n see my book 'Islam i Q a n u n -e - S h a h a d a t', 1988 p r in te d Q anurr-i- ) is a non-

K u tu b K h a n a , L a h o re ,p p 32 to 54 a n d 99 to 1 60).

17.As r e g a r d s ^quantum o f e v id e n c e ( N is a b - e -S h a h a d a t) th e o ffe n c e o f Z ina liab le to h a d d ( j __>•) s h a ll s ta n d p r o v e d if fo u r M uslim, ’a q il ( J i t —* ) a n d b a lig h ( II a d u lt), male w itn e s s e s , a b o u t whom th e C o u rt, h a v in g r e g a r d to th e provisions o f T a z k ia h a l- S h a h u d , c o n ta in e d in Ordinance VH of .1979 is satisfied that th e y a r e " A dil” p e r s o n s , g iv e e v id e n c e a s e y e -w itn e s s e s o f th e a c t o f p e n e tr a tio n ( J^ _ _ ^ -j) n e c e s s a r y fo r th e o ffe n c e o f Zina liab le to h a d d : P ro v id e d t h a t if th e a c c u s e d is a non-M uslim th e e y e - w itn e s s m ay b e non-M uslim s who a re c re d ib le a c c o rd in g to th e ir ow n re lig io n o r f a i t h . ( A lso s e e R a sh id a P a te l's c a s e ,

(PLD 1989 FSC 9 5 ).

18.T h e o ffe n c e o f S araqah ( “ ^ T h e ft) liab le to h a d d a n d th e o ffe n c e o f H a raa b a h ( ) liab le to hadd sh all s ta n d p ro v e d if tw o M uslim, 'a q il ( J _ J L j ) , b a lig h ( a d u lt ) male w itn e s s e s , a b o u t whom th e C o u rt, h a v in g r e g a r d to th e p ro v is io n s o f T a z k ia h a l- S h u h u d , c o n ta in e d in Ordinance VI of 1979 is:

s a tis fie d t h a t th e y a r e Ta d il p e r s o n s , g iv e e v id e n c e , a s e y e ­ w itn e s s e s , o f th e o ffe n c e o f Saraqah o r H a ra b a h : P ro v id e d th a t if th e a c c u s e d i s a non-M uslim th e e y e -w itn e s s e s may b e n o n - Muslims who a r e c re d ib le a c c o rd in g to th e ir ow n re lig io n o r fa ith .

19.In c a s e o f Saraqah (th e ft) liab le to h a d d , th e

s ta te m e n t o f M asrooq M inhu ( th e p e rs o n w hose

p r o p e r ty h a s b e e n s to le n ) o r o f a n y p e r s o n a u th o r is e d b y him s h a ll be re c o rd e d b e fo re th e s ta te m e n ts o f th e e y e - w itn e s s e s .

20.T h e o ffe n c e o f Q azf J » ) fa lse a c c u s a tio n o f Zina) a n d th e o ffen c e o f S h u rb -e -K h a m r ( d r in k in g ' wine)liable to h a d d s h a ll s ta n d p r o v e d b y th e e v id e n c e o f tw o M uslim , ’a q il, b a lig h , male w itn e ss e s a b o u t whom th e C o u rt h a v in g r e g a r d to th e p ro v is io n s o f ta z k iy a h a l-S h u h u d c o n ta in e d in Ordinance VUIof 1979 is s a tis fie d t h a t th e y a r e a d il p e r s o n : p ro v id e d t h a t if th e a c c u s e d is a non-M uslim , th e w itn e ss e s may b e non-M uslim s who a re c re d ib le a c c o rd in g to t h e i r ow n re lig io n o r f a ith . In c a se o f th e o ffen c e o f Q azf lia b le to h a d d , th e s ta te m e n t o f th e co m p lain an t o r a n y p e r s o n a u th o r is e d b y him s h a ll b e r e c o r d e d b e fo re th e s ta te m e n ts o f th e w itn e s s e s .

21.A n o ffe n c e lia b le to Q isas ( ai ) s h a ll s ta n d p ro v e d b y th e e v id e n c e o f tw o M uslim, ’a q il, b a lig h , male e y e - w itn e s s e s , tft a b o u t whom th e C o u r t, s u b je c t to th e p ro v is io n s o f tazkiyah al-Shuhud

c o n ta in e d

in th e law , is s a tis fie d th a t th e y a r e 'a d il ( J j U ) p e r s o n s : P ro v id e d t h a t if a c c u s e d is a non-M uslim th e e y e ­ w itn e ss e s may b e non-M uslim who a re c re d ib le a c c o rd in g to th e ir ow n re lig io n o r f a ith .

22.E x c e p t fo r th e o ffe n c e s lia b le to H a d d < a ..»•) a n d Q isas ( ^jeLai) all o th e r m a tte r s , in c lu d in g fis c a l m a tte r s , s h a ll be p ro v e d b y th e e v id e n c e o f tw o 'a q il, b a lig h a n d 'a d il male w itn e sse s a n d in th e a b s e n c e o f tw o s u c h male w itn e ss e s b y th e e v id e n c e o f o n e s u c h male a n d tw o s u c h fem ale w itn e s s e s . I f th e d e fe n d a n t o r a c c u s e d is a non-M uslim th e w itn e s s e s m ay b e non-M uslim s who a re c re d ib le a c c o rd in g to th e f a ith o r re lig io n th e y p r o f e s s .

23.E v id en ce o f a s in g le 'a q il, b a lig h , 'a d il, Muslim fem ale w itn e ss s h a ll b e ad m issib le in c a s e s r e la tin g to b i r t h , v ir g in ity and s u c h o th e r m a tte rs c o n c e rn in g women a s a re not u s u a lly se e n b y men:

P ro v id e d t h a t i f th e d e fe n d a n t is a non-M uslim th e female w itn e s s may be non-M uslim who is c re d ib le a c c o rd in g to th e fa ith o r re lig io n sh e p ro fesse s. T h e c o n d itio n o f a fem ale w itn e ss d o es n o t meaii exclusion o f th e e v id e n c e o f a male w itn e ss .

24.E v id en ce o f a sin g le 'a q il, b a lig h , 'a d il , male w itn e ss s h a ll be ad m issib le in th e follow ing c a s e s nam ely :- ( 1) to d e te rm in e th e am ount o f c o m p en satio n fo r th e dam age c a u s e d :

( 2) to tr a n s la te th e s ta te m e n t o r th e e v id e n c e o f a p a r t y o r a w itn e ss in a c o u rt o f law ;

(3 ) to d e c id e , w hen th e r e is a d iffe re n c e o f opinion r e g a r d in g b a i'-e -s a la m ( £** a k in d o f com m ercial t r a n s a c tio n ) , w h e th e r th e a rtic le so ld is u se a b le o r n o t;

to d e te rm in e , w hen th e p e rio d s p e c ifie d

fo r th e p a y m e n t o f am ount o f a d e c re e h a s

e x p ir e d , w h e th e r th e d e b to r u n d e r c u s to d y h a s becom e in s o lv e n t:

to d ecid e w h e th e r a n a r tic le , w hich is a s u b je c t o f d is p u te b e tw e e n th e s e lle r a n d th e b u y e r , is d e fe c tiv e o r n o t; a n d

( 6) to d e te rm in e th e am ount o f c o m p en satio n fo r

th e in ju r ie s c a u s e d .

25.In c a s e s re la tin g to p r o p e r ty a n d th e r i g h t s re la tin g th e r e to , w h e re a d e fe n d a n t, a f te r h a v in g b e e n s e r v e d w ith sum m ons, fa ils to a p p e a r b e fo re th e C o u rt, th e p la in tif f, m ay p ro d u c e one w itn e ss a n d m ay ta k e o a th w hich will b e deem ed s u ffic ie n t e v id e n c e fo r th e p r o o f o f h is claim . W here th e p la in tif f fa ils to p ro d u c e a w itn e ss b u t p ro d u c e s d o c u m e n ta ry e v id e n c e th e C o u rt m ay, i f it is o f th e o p in io n th a t th e p la in tif f 's claim a p p e a rs to b e p ro b a b ly t r u e , d e c id e th e m a tte r b y g iv in g a n o a th to th e p la in tif f, (fo r f u lle r d is c u s s io n o n Q u antum o f w itn e s s e s ( ) see my book 'Islam i Q a n o o n -e -S h a h a d a t, 1988 p r in te d a t Q an u n i K u tu b K h a n a , L a h o re , p p 55 to 9 8 ).

27.Now com ing to A rtic le 3 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984, r e la tin g to c o m p eten cy o f w itn e s s , it r e a d s a s u n d e r : - "3 . Who m ay t e s t i f y . — All p e rs o n s s h a ll

b e co m p eten t to te s tif y u n le s s th e C o u rt c o n s id e rs t h a t th e y a re

p r e v e n te d from u n d e r s ta n d in g th e q u e s tio n s p u t to th e m , o r from g iv in g a n s w e rs to th o s e q u e s tio n s ra tio n a lly b y te n d e r y e a r s , e x tre m e old a g e , d is e a s e , w h e th e r o f b o d y o r m in d , o r a n y o th e r c a u s e o f th e sam e k in d :

P ro v id e d th a t a p e r s o n s h a ll n o t b e co m p eten t to te s t if y if h e h a s b e e n c o n v ic te d b y a C o u rt fo r p e r ju r y o r g iv in g fa lse e v id e n c e :

P ro v id e d f u r t h e r th a t th e p ro v is io n s o f th e f i r s t p ro v is o s h a ll n o t a p p ly to a p e rs o n a b o u t whom th e C o u rt is s a tis fie d t h a t he h a s r e p e n te d th e r e a f te r a n d m en d ed h is w ay s:

P ro v id e d f u r t h e r th a t th e C o u rt s h a ll d e te rm in e th e co m p eten ce o f a w itn e ss in a c c o rd a n c e w ith th e q u a lific a tio n s p r e s c r ib e d b y th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam a s la id dow n in th e Holy Q u r'a n a n d S u n n a h fo r a w itn e s s , a n d , w h e re s u c h w itn e ss is n o t fo rth c o m in g , th e C o u rt m ay ta k e th e e v id e n c e o f a w itn e ss who m ay b e a v a ila b le .

E x p la n a tio n . - A lu n a tic is n o t in c o m p e te n t to te s t if y , u n le s s h e is p r e v e n te d b y h is lu n a c y from u n d e r s ta n d in g th e q u e s tio n p u t to him a n d g iv in g ra tio n a l a n sw e rs to th e m ."

27.T h e ab o v e A rtic le la y s dow n tw o re q u ire m e n ts o f c o m p e n ten c y o f a w itn e ss

i)to h a v e c a p a c ity to u n d e r s ta n d a n d a b ility to a n sw e r th e q u e s tio n p u t to him in a ra tio n a l m a n n e r:

ii)to h a v e r e q u is ite q u a lific a tio n s o f a w itn e ss as p r e s c r ib e d b y th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam , laid dow n in th e Holy Q u r'a n a n d th e S u n n a h o f th e Holy P ro p h e t.

28.T h is s e c tio n also p ro v id e s t h a t w h e re a q u a lifie d w itn e ss is n o t fo rth c o m in g th e C o u rt m ay ta k e e v id e n c e o f a w itn e ss who m ay b e a v a ila b le . H ow ever, th e a b o v e s e c tio n c o n ta in s th r e e p ro v is o , nam ely;

i)A p e r s o n s h a ll n o t b e a co m p e ten t w itn e ss if h e h a s b e e n c o n v ic te d b y a C o u rt f o r p e r ju r y o r g iv in g fa lse e v id e n c e .

ii)T h is d is q u a lific a tio n a s to th e c o m p eten cy o f th e w itn e ss will n o t b e a p p lic a b le to a p e rs o n a b o u t whom th e C o u rt is s a tis f ie d t h a t h e h a s r e p e n te d a n d m en d ed h is w ay .

iii)I t h a s b e e n le ft to th e c o u r t to d e te rm in e th e c o m p eten cy o f a w itn e ss in a c c o rd a n c e w ith th e q u a lific a tio n s p r e s c r ib e d b y th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam .

At th e e n d o f th e s e c tio n a n e x p la n a tio n h a s b e e n a d d e d th a t if a w itn e ss is a lu n a tic h e m ay t e s t if y p ro v id e d he is n o t p r e v e n te d to a n sw e r th e q u e s tio n put to him b e c a u s e o f h is lu n a n c y . It, in f a c t, r e la te s to p e rio d d u r in g lu c id in te rv a ls .

29.T h e o p e n in g c la u se o f th e s e c tio n m en tio n s some o f th e r u le s as to th e c o m p eten cy o f a w itn e s s . A p e rs o n is c a p a b le o f b e a r in g te stim o n y who p o s s e s s e s th e c a p a c ity to see a fa c t w hich is c a p a b le o f b e in g s e e n , o f h e a r in g a fa c t w hich is c a p a b le of b e in g h e ard and of p e rc e iv in g a fa c t w hich is c a p a b le o f p re c e p tio n .

30.T h e f i r s t a n d s e c o n d p ro v is o a re b a s e d on th e v e r s e s 4 a n d 5 o f S u ra h A l- n u r , w hich r e a d as u n d e r • q c l s J j ' j i j _ * j L a - ; ^a J \yLic Y ) I

►, it <tL)l , j l i ^ iiU j f O*

( :> J 1)

(A n d th o s e who la u n c h a c h a r g e a g a in s t c h a s te wom en, a n d p ro d u c e n o t four w itn e s s e s , (to s u p p o r t th e ir a lle g a tio n ), - F log them w ith e ig h ty s tr ip e s ; a n d r e je c t th e ir e v id e n c e e v e r a f te r : fo r s u c h men a r e w icked t r a n s g r e s s o r s : - ) (U n le s s th e y r e p e n t th e r e a f te r a n d m end ( t h e i r c o n d u c t): fo r A llah is O ft- F o rg iv in g , Most M ercifu l).

3 i. T h e t h i r d p ro v is o s p e c ific a lly p ro v id e s th a t a p e rs o n sh o u ld p o s s e s s all th e q u a lific a tio n s o f a w itn e ss as la id dow n in th e Holy Q u r'a n a n d S u n n a h . T h is s e c tio n its e lf d o es n o t p r e s c r ib e th e q u a lific a tio n s o f a w itn e ss b u t m akes it a p r e - r e q u is ite th a t h e sh o u ld p o s s e s s th e q u a lific a tio n s o f a w itn e ss a s la id dow n in th e Holy Q u r'a n a n d S u n n a h .

32.A t th e e n d o f th e th ir d p ro v is o i t h a s b e en p ro v id e d t h a t "w h ere s u c h w itn e ss is n o t fo rth -c o m in g th e C o u rt may ta k e e v id e n c e o f a w itn e ss who m ay b e a v a ila b le ." T h is c la u se seem s a p p a r e n tly to b e in c o n flic t w ith th e a c c e p te d ru le s o f a co m p e ten t w itn e ss in S h a ria h ; b u t it h a s b e e n p ro v id e d to m eet a s itu a tio n w h e re a w itn e ss p o s s e s s in g th e r e q u is ite q u a lific a ­ tio n s o r t h a t th e w itn e s s (e s ) in r e q u is ite n u m b e r,is n o t a v a ila b le , so t h a t th e r i g h t s o f th e p eo p le ( j Lj J I ) m ay n o t b e lo st a n d th e o ff e n d e rs sh o u ld n o t go u n p u n is h e d . T h e c la u se seem s to b e b a s e d on th e p rin c ip le o f n e c e s s ity w hich i s re c o g n iz e d b y th e S h a ri'a h .

33.For th e d is c u s s io n a fo re s a id o n s e c tio n 3

k s e d f x it c a n n o t tlxgDefoBBt b e sa id t h a t th e p ro v is io n s o f law as c o n ta in e d in A rtic le 3 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t, a s to

co m p eten cy o f w itn e s s , a r e r e p u g n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam .

T h e C ouncil o f Islam ic Id eo lo g y h a s also e x p r e s s e d i t s o p in io n on th e ab o v e A rtic le 3 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t a s n o t r e p u g n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam , (v id e A n n u al r e p o r t fo r 1988-89).

II. CONVICTION ON SOLE TESTIMONY OF

AC COMPLICE (A RTICLE 16 OF QANUN-E-

SHAHADAT ORDER, 1984).

34.A rtic le 16 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984, a s c h a lle n g e d , r e a d s a s u n d e r

" A rtic le 16, A ccom plice. - A n accom plice s h a ll b e co m p e ten t w itn e ss a g a in s t a n a c c u s e d p e r s o n , e x c e p t in th e case o f a n o ffe n c e p u n is h a b le w ith h a d d , a n d a c o n v ic tio n is no t ille g a l m e re ly b e c a u s e i t p ro c e e d s u p o n th e u n c o rro b o ra te d t e s t i ­ m ony o f a n acco m p lice."

T h is A rtic le ack n o w le d g e s th e c o m p eten cy o f a n accom plice in all m a tte rs o th e r th a n H u d o o d .

35.. T h e p ro v is io n s o f e v id e n c e r e la tin g to an

accom plice w ere c o n ta in e d p re v io u s ly in s e c tio n 133 o f th e E v id en c e A c t, 1872, s in c e re p e a le d , ( h e r e in a f te r r e f e r r e d to as " th e re p e a le d A c t" ) . T h e se v e r y p ro v is io n s h a v e now b e en r e - e n a c te d in A rtic le 16 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t w ith th e a d d itio n o f a n e x c e p tio n th a t in c a se o f a n o ffe n c e p u n is h a b le w ith h a d d , a n accom plice s h a ll n o t b e a co m p e ten t w itn e ss i . e . fo r a w a rd in g h a d d p u n is h m e n t as p ro v id e d in H udood L aw s, n am ely , th e O ffe n c es A gainst P r o p e r ty (E n fo rc e m en t o f H udood) O rd in a n c e (V I o f 1979), th e O ffence o f Z in a(E n fo rc e m e n t o f H udood) O rd in a n c e (V II o f 1979 ) th e O ffen ce o f Q azf (E n fo rc e m en t o f H ad d ) O rd in a n c e (V III

o f 1979), a n d th e P ro h ib itio n (E n fo rc e m e n t o f H ad d ) O rd e r (IV o f 1979), a n accom plice s h a ll n o t b e a co m p eten t w itn e s s . In r e s u l t , th e e v id e n c e o f a n accom plice h a s , t h u s , b e e n e x c lu d e d fo r th e o ffe n c e s p u n is h a b le w ith h a d d . T h is e x c e p tio n may e q u a lly a p p ly to a n y o th e r f u tu r e law m ak in g a n o ffen c e p u n is h a b le w ith h a d d , a s o rd a in e d b y A llah o r His a p o s tle .

36.A n accom plice in th e com m ission o f a n o ffe n c e ,

is a c o -a c c u s e d , a n a ss o c ia te o r p a r t n e r who h a s s u c h a re la tio n to th e c rim in al a c t t h a t h e c an b e jo in tly im p licated w ith th e o th e r a c c u s e d . T h e te rm 'accom plice' im plies t h a t th e o ffe n d e rs a re m ore th a n o n e who a r e p a r tic ip e s crim in is in r e s p e c t o f com m ission o f th e crim e c h a r g e d a s p rin c ip a ls o r a s s o c ia te s .

37.T h e p r e s e n t A rtic le 16 m u st b e r e a d w ith

illu s tr a tio n ( b ) to A rtic le 129 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t a s b o th c o -re la te to e a c h o th e r . Now, r e a d in g A rtic le 16 a n d illu s tr a tio n ( b ) to A rtic le 129 to g e th e r , i t w ould a p p e a r t h a t th e C o u r ts , in th e S u b - c o n tin e n t, w hile c o n s tr u in g s e c tio n 133 o f th e re p e a le d A c t, h a v e h e ld t h a t w h ilst i t is n o t ille g a l to a c t u p o n th e u n c o rro b o ra te d e v id e n c e o f a n accom plice it is a r u le o f p ru d e n c e so u n iv e rs a lly follow ed a s to am ount alm ost to a ru le o f law th a t it is u n s a fe to a c t u p o n th e e v id e n c e o f a n accom plice u n le s s it is c o rro b o ra te d .

It m ay, th e r e f o r e , b e s a id th a t a s p ro v id e d in s e c tio n 133 o f th e re p e a le d A ct a n d now A rtic le 16 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t so p ro v id e s (e x c e p t in c a se o f a n o ffen c e p u n is h a b le w ith h a d d ) t h a t sole te stim o n y o f a n accom plice, w ith o u t in d e p e n d e n t c o rro b o ra tio n will n o t r e n d e r th e c o n v ic ito n ille g a l,if th e r u le o f Islam ic law o f e v id e n c e is th a t th e te stim o n y o f a n accom plice alone is n o t s u ffic ie n t to b a s e c o n v ic tio n o f a c o -a c c u s e d , u n le s s c o rro b o ra te d b y o th e r p iece o f e v id e n c e , th e p ro v is io n s o f A rtic le 16, a s fra m e d , will come in to c o n flic t w ith th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam . It m ay, h o w e v e r, b e a d d e d th a t in view o f th e p ro v is io n s o f illu s tr a tio n ( b ) o f A rtic le 129, it h as b e e n alm ost th e ru le o f law t h a t w ith o u t c o rro b o ra tio n , th e e v id e n c e o f a n accom plice is n o t to b e a c te d u p o n .

39.Islam ic law la y s dow n c e r ta in q u a lific a tio n s fo r a c o m p e te n t w itn e s s to te n d e r e v id e n c e in a C o u rt o f la w .

A n accom plice ( o r a p p r o v e r ) d o e s n o t come u p to th e r e q u ir e d s ta n d a r d o f c o m p e te n c y , b e c a u s e , f ir s tl y h e is a crim in al a n d , s e c o n d ly , h e on h is ow n c o n fe ssio n o f th e com m ission o f th e o ffe n c e becom es u n d o u b te d ly a f a s iq . Islam s e a rc h e s o u t th e in n e r c o n sc ie n c e o f e v e ry o n e b e c a u s e one h a s to a c t as in th e p re s e n c e o f God to whom all th in g s , a c ts a n d m o tiv es a re k n ow n.

40.In Islam a w itn e ss m u st b e 'a d il ( J j L_p ) .

'A d a la h ' ( ju s tn e s s ) is a c o n d itio n p r e c e d e n t. T h e e v id e n c e is to b e g iv e n f o r th e A lm ighty A llah . A d e ta ile d illu s tr a tio n of a co m p e ten t w itn e ss is to b e fo u n d in th e v a rio u s v e r s e s o f th e Holy Q u r 'a n , q u o te d below , w ith tr a n s la tio n a n d com m ents b y A b d u lla h Y o u saf A li: —

r X J u \ Js. Jl -U_U ly / t y J o * ^ 1 U .1 L ‘

I)— *— ■ *; -ill* Ly*

* * \j— W (jlS^ aJJ 1 jjli y f IjJj ,jl y JjJ ,jl Jjj-Ajl

( i r» ; )

(O y e who b e lie v e ! s ta n d o u t firm ly fo r ju s tic e , a s w itn e ss to Allah, e v e n a s a g a in s t y o u r s e lv e s , o r y o u r p a r e n t s , o r y o u r k in , a n d w h e th e r i t b e ( a g a in s t) ric h o r p o o r: F o r A llah c an b e s t p r o te c t b o th . Follow n o t th e lu s ts (O f y o u r h e a r t s ) , le s t y e s w e re , a n d i f y e d is to r t (ju s tic e ) o r d eclin e to do ju s tic e , v e r ily A llah is w e ll-a c q u a in te d w ith all th a t y e d o .)

" J u s tic e is G o d 's a t t r i b u t e , a n d to s ta n d firm ju s tic e is to b e a w itn e s s to G od, e v e n i f it is d e tr im e n ta l to o u r ow n in t e r e s t s (a s we co n ceiv e th em ) o r th e in t e r e s t s o f th o s e who a r e n e a r a n d d e a r to u s ."

41.B u t, Islam ic ju s tic e is so m e th in g h ig h e r th a n th e form al ju s tic e o f Roman Law o r a n y o th e r h u m an Law . It is e v e n m ore p e n e tr a tiv e th a n th e s u b tle r ju s tic e in th e s p e c u la tio n s o f th e G reek p h ilo s o p h e rs . It s e a rc h e s o u t th e in n e rm o s t m o tiv es, b e c a u s e we a r e to a c t a s in th e p r e s e n c e o f G od, to Whom n o th in g rem ain s s e c r e t.

42.Some p eo p le may b e in c lin e d to fa v o u r th e ric h b e c a u s e th e y e x p e c t so m e th in g from th e m . Some p eo p le m ay b e in c lin e d to fa v o u r th e p o o r b e c a u s e th e y a re g e n e ra lly h e lp le s s .

P a rtia lity in e ith e r c a s e is w ro n g . Be j u s t , w ith o u t f e a r o r fa v o u r. B o th th e r ic h a n d th e p o o r a r e u n d e r G o d 's p ro te c tio n a s f a r a s th e ir leg itim a te i n te r e s ts a r e c o n c e rn e d , b u t th e y c a n n o t e x p e c t to b e fa v o u re d a t th e e x p e n s e o f o th e r s . A nd He c an p r o te c t th e ir in t e r e s t s f a r b e t t e r th a n a n y m a n ."

( T •1 ® ..MI ) * aL) 3 I y J JP \Jy J J Iy

(A n d ta k e fo r w itn e ss tw o p e rs o n s from am ong y o u e n d u e d w ith ju s tic e , A nd e s ta b lis h th e e v id e n c e )

" E v e ry th in g s h o u ld b e d o n e f a irly a n d s q u a r e ly a n d all in t e r e s t s sh o u ld b e s a f e g u a r d e d . P u b lic ity a n d th e e sta b lis h m e n t o f p r o p e r e v id e n c e e n s u r e t h a t n o o n e will a c t u n ju s tly o r s e lf is h ly . All sh o u ld rem em b er t h a t th e s e a r e m a tte rs o f s e rio u s im p o rt, a ffe c tin g o u r m ost in tim a te liv e s , a n d th e re fo re o u r p o sitio n in th e s p ir itu a l kingdom in th e H e r e a f te r ."

(1 •1i ) * jy *W-** ( S *£»• jjl l^uT (jjj «i) ! I L

(O 'y e who b e lie v e ! if a w icked p e r s o n com es to y o u w ith a n y n ew s a s c e r ta in th e t r u t h ) .

"A ll t i t t l e - t a t t l e o r r e p o r ts - e s p e c ia lly if em a n atin g from p e r s o n s , y o u do n o t know a re to b e t e s t e d , a n d th e t r u t h a s c e r ta in e d . I f th e y w ere b e lie v e d a n d p a s s e d o n , m uch harm

A

may b e done o f w hich y o u may h a v e c a u s e d a fte rw a rd to r e p e n t h e a r tily . S c a n d al o r s la n d e r o f all k in d s is h e r e co n d em n ed .

T h a t a b o u t women is sp e c ia lly d e n o u n c e d ."

in th e a b o v e v e rs e As I u n d e r s ta n d , th e w o rd " N a b a '" /if ta k e n in i t s o r d in a r y m ean in g a s " tid in g s " o r in fo rm a tio n ', th e Holy Q u r'a n d ir e c ts t h a t i f i t is re c e iv e d from a fa s iq le t i t b e c h e c k e d , from o th e r s o u r c e s , le s t th e in fo rm a tio n m ay b e u n t r u e . T hus, it is all th e m ore r e q u ir e d in th e m a tte r o f b e lie v in g a n accom plice, who h a s t u r n e d o u t to b e fa s iq o n a c c o u n t o f th e com m ission o f th e o ffe n c e , w hile g iv in g e v id e n c e w hich is o n a h ig h e r p e d e s ta l th a n m ere a tid in g ( k h a b r , j-+>- ) o r in fo rm a tio n , a s it a ffe c ts th e r i g h t s a n d lia b ilitie s o f an o th er p e r s o n w hich a r e to b e d e c id e d o n th e b a s is o f h is e v id e n c e . T hus, h is e v id e n c e c an o n ly b e re lie d on if i t fin d s s u p p o r t from o th e r c o rro b o ra tiv e e v id e n c e . So, th is r u le o f e v id e n c e fin d s d ire c t s u p p o r t from th e v e r s e o f S u ra h q u o te d a b o v e . A c c o rd in g to me it is a d ire c t nass, ( ^ ^ • ) a te x tu a l m a n ife sta tio n a g a in s t th e c o n v ic tio n of a n a c c u s e d on th e u n c o rro b o ra te d e v id e n c e o f a n accom plice.

0 \j____ *Jl , r ^ U f J t L.:l “J jiJ ‘

C T® '• ®Y a—- ) # Ja—iJL _LJ

(We s e n t a fo retim e o u r a p o s tle s w ith c le a r s ig n s . A nd s e n t dow n w ith them th e B ook a n d th e B alan ce (O f R ig h t a n d W ro n g ), th a t m en m ay s ta n d f o r th in ju s tic e ) .

" T h re e th in g s a re m en tio n ed a s g ifts o f G od.

c o n c re te te rm s th e y a re th e B ook, th e B a la n c e , a n d I r o n , w hich In

s ta n d a s em blem s o f th r e e th in g s w h ich h o ld s o c ie ty to g e th e r , v i z . , R e v e la tio n , w hich com m ands Good a n d fo r b id s E v il; J u s tic e , w hich g iv e s to e a c h p e r s o n h is d u e ; a n d th e s tr o n g arm o f th e Law w hich

<YV

m ain ta in s s a n c tio n s fo r e v il- d o e r s ."

44.I t show s t h a t to do ju s tic e , A llah g a v e th e "B ook" ( . .i <r ij ) a symbd of Laws and the balance a n d B alance ( o ' ) to th e P r o p h e ts . T h e B ook is a c tu a lly / i s a sym bol o f ju s tic e . T h e w o rd " ' '"’J " is p lu r a l w hich show s th a t all th e a p o s tle s '( ) d u ty w as to do ju s tic e am ong th e p e o p le a n d th e y w ere n o t s u p p o s e d to c h a r g e a n y fee fo r d o in g ju s tic e am ong th e p e o p le . T h e Q u ra n in th e w ord o f P r o p h e t s a y s :

11 m

I do n o t claim a n y c h a r g e /f e e

45.T h e a b o v e v e r s e o f th e Holy Q u r'a n g e ts f u r t h e r s u p p o r t from th e follow ing v e r s e s :

,-UJl ^ ' -3 L - i s - 11 3, 11 ** ^ sJJI

( ^ : r ) ‘ J acJL '’ o' (A llah d o th command y o u to r e n d e r b a c k y o u r T r u s ts to th o s e to whom th e y a r e d u e , a n d w hen y e ju d g e b e tw e e n m an a n d m an, th e y ye ju d g e w ith j u s t i c e ) .

In th is v e r s e th e w ord " a s I u n d e r s ta n d i t , h a s b e e n u s e d in g e n e ra l te rm s . I t also in c lu d e s 'e v id e n c e ' a s it h a s b e e n made o b lig a to ry on a p e r s o n w ho h a s re c e iv e d e v id e n c e in r e s p e c t o f a m a tte r r e n d e r th e s a id e v id e n c e " l jl"* T h e y sh o u d n o t r e f u s e w h e n e v e r th e y a r e called u p o n to g iv e e v id e n c e ( v L j^ £ J i r |, 3| s | ■» ?. ll ) f o r th e sa k e o f A llah , a n d n o t fo r a n y

w o rld y b e n e f it. T he w ord " *1 j l " is common in th e v e r s e a n d in th e law r e la tin g to e v id e n c e .

46* T h e w o rd " J j _ » " h a s b e e n u s e d a t m any p la c e s in th e Holy Q u r'a n in th e same s e n s e . It sh o w s t h a t th e ju d g m e n t s h o u ld b e b a s e d o n ju s tic e .

J j l d l;t l_ ^ j j JL w b_S 3i d J l L d j —-l L-l

( 1 •« ;t 'J

(We h a v e s e n t dow n to th e e th e Book in t r u t h , t h a t th o u m ig h te s t ju d g e b e tw e e n m en, a s g u id e d b y A llah : so b e no t (u s e d ) a s a n a d v o c a te b y th o s e who b e tr a y th e ir t r u s t ) .

4<7. T h e C om m entators e x p la in th is p a s s a g e w ith re fe re n c e to th e c a s e o f T a'm a Ib n U b a ira q , who w as nom inally a Muslim b u t re a lly a H y p o c rite , a n d g iv e n to all s o r ts o f w icked d e e d s .

He w as s u s p e c te d o f h a v in g s to le n a s e t o f a rm o u r, a n d w hen th e tr i a l was h o t, h e p la n te d th e s to le n p r o p e r ty in to th e h o u se o f a Je w , w h e re i t w as fo u n d . T h e Jew d e n ie d th e c h a r g e a n d a c c u s e d T a'im a, b u t th e sy m p a th ie s o f th e Muslim com m unity w ere w ith T a'im a on a c c o u n t o f h is nom inal p ro fe s s io n o f Islam . T he c a se w as b r o u g h t to th e A p o stle , who a c q u itte d th e Jew a c c o rd in g to th e s t r i c t p rin c ip le o f ju s tic e a s " g u id e d b y A lla h ". A tte m p ts w ere m ade to p re ju d ic e him a n d d e ce iv e him in to u s in g h is a u th o r ity to fa v o u r T a'im a.

4'8.. T h e w ord " J a JI" is o f g r e a t im p o rta n c e in th e Holy

m

Q u r'a n a s i t th ro w s lig h t u p o n ,.'a ll‘ p re v a ilin g c o n c e p t o f ju s tic e in Islam > w hich is th e fo u n d a tio n o f p e a c e a n d p r o s p e r ity . T h is w ord ( j ^ . ) h a s b e e n u s e d in th e H oly Q u r'a n a t a b o u t 287 (tw o h u n d r e d a n d e ig h ty seven) tim e s , in it's s e v e ra l d e riv a tiv e s form s o u t b f w hich a few v e r s e s a re g iv e n below

( 1 * : T ,j \j, - . ■ J l ) » y — » »il— y O*

(T h e t r u t h (com es) from A llah alo n e; so b e n o t o f th o s e who d o u b t) .

" T h e t r u t h d o es n o t n e c e s s a rily come from p r i e s t s , o r from th e s u p e r s titio n s o f whole p e o p le s . I t com es from Allah a n d w h e re th e r e is a d ire c t re v e la tio n , th e r e is no room fo r doubt ?

( m n ) * ov= — o*

(S a y : S h a ll I s e e k fo r ju d g e o th e r th a n A llah? When He it is who h a th s e n t u n to y o u th e B ook, e x p la in e d in d e ta il, th e y know fu ll w ell, to whom We h a v e g iv e n th e B ook, t h a t it h a th b e e n s e n t dow n from t h y L o rd in t r u t h . N e v e r b e th e n o f th o s e who d o u b t ) .

49.T h e r ig h te o u s man s e e k s no o th e r s ta n d a r d o f ju d g m e n t b u t A lla h 's Will. How c an h e w hen A llah in His G race h a s e x p la in e d His Will in th e Q u r'a n w ith d e ta ils w hich m en of e v e r y c a p a c ity c a n u n d e r s ta n d ? T h e h u m b le st c a n le a rn le sso n

on r ig h t c o n d u c t in d a ily life , a n d th e m ost a d v a n c e d c an fin d th e h ig h e s t wisdom in i t s s p ir itu a l te a c h in g , e n ric h e d a s it is w ith all k in d s o f b e a u tifu l illu s tr a tio n s from n a tu r e a n d th e s t o r y o f m an.

(11 : 1 O* C r& O' '> * J ' ^ ’

(T h e T r u th h a th in d e e d come to th e e from t h y L o rd :S o b e in n o w ise o f th o s e in d o u b t ) .

50.* A lla h 's T r u th is all o n e , a n d e v e n in d if f e r e n t form s men s in c e re in R eligion re c o g n iz e th e o n e n e s s . So s in c e re Jew s like 'A b d u lla h ib n Salam , a n d s in c e re C h ris tia n s lik e W araqa o r th e N e sto ria n m onk B u h a ira , w ere r e a d y to re c o g n is e th e m ission m

o f Muhammad M u stafa( fa 4_ J * J J I . "T h e Book" in

th is c o n n e c tio n is R ev e la tio n g e n e r a lly , a lso r e f e r r i n g to p r e - Islam ic re v e la tio n .*

51.th e ab o v e v e r s e s o f th e Holy Q u r'a n c le a rly show th a t " J — " is "T h e T r u th " d e v o id o f all k in d s o f d o u b ts , o r fa lse h o o d .

(IT : X I ) * (J J y (J iL J L I ’ll y

(A n d c o v e r n o t T r u th w ith fa lse h o o d , n o r co n ceal th e T r u th w hen y e know (w h a t i t i s ) . "

T h e re is a com m andm ent n o t to c o n fu se t r u t h w ith fa lse h o o d .

T h is am o u n ts to co n cealm en t o f t r u t h .

52.T h e w o rd " 4 - " i s d e r iv e d from th e w o rd " 0 __ J

a n d th e sam e is fu lly e x p la in e d in th e follow ing v e r s e o f th e Holy Q u r'a n :

( 1 *1 j L*j ^ L j liQ* LI, - •>■pj j

( I f We h a d made it an a n g s l, We s h o u ld h a v e s e n t him a s a m an, a n d We s h o u ld c e r ta in ly h a v e c a u s e d them c o n fu sio n in a m a tte r w hich is a lre a d y to them o b s c u re a n d c o n f u s e d ) .

53,. "S u p p o sin g a n a n g e l sh o u ld a p p e a r to th e ir g r o s s e r s e n s e s , he c o u ld do it o n ly in h u m an fo rm . In t h a t c a s e th e ir p r e s e n t c o n fu s e d n o tio n s a b o u t s p ir itu a l life w ould b e s till more c o n fo u n d e d . T h e y w ould s a y "We w an ted to see a n a n g e l, a n d we h a v e o n ly s e e n a m an!"

B o th th e a b o v e v e r s e s m ake i t c le a r t h a t " 3 ^ ' " is alw ay s fre e from " c o n fu sio n " a n d " d o u b t" .

( i *v i t •t-ji ) #

(C o n te n d n o t o n b e h a lf o f s u c h a s b e tr a y th e ir ow n s o u ls : F o r A llah lo v e th n o t o n e g iv e n to p e r if id y a n d c r im e ) .

54.O u r so u ls a r e a s o r t o f t r u s t w ith u s . We h a v e to g u a r d them a g a in s t all te m p ta tio n . T h o se w ho s u r r e n d e r to crim e o r e v il b e tr a y t h a t t r u s t . We a re w a rn e d a g a in s t b e in g d e c e iv e d in to ta k in g t h e i r p a r t , in d u c e d e ith e r b y p la u sib le a p p e a ra n c e s , o r s u c h in c e n tiv e s to p a r tia lity a s t h a t th e y b e lo n g to o u r ow n peo p le o r t h a t some lin k c o n n e c ts them w ith u s , w h e re a s w hen we a r e o u t to do ju s tic e , we m u st n o t allow a n y

j y

ir r e le v a n t c o n s id e ra tio n s to sw ay u s .

55.. V e rs e s 105 a n d 107 o f S u ra h A l-N isa S .IV c o n ta in th e w ord: K haww an ( j l j — ). B o th th e s e v e r s e s make it c le a r th a t A llah d o es n o t like 'K h a in ' ( ^ -j- > (w ho b e tr a y s His t r u s t ) . T h u s a w itn e ss s h o u ld n o t b e a p e r s o n who b e tr a y s th e t r u s t o f A llah re p o s e d in hum an b e in g . T h e ab o v e v e r s e (IV : 107) a lso sh o w s th a t o u r so u ls a re a s o r t o f t r u s t w ith u s a n d th o s e who s u r r e n d e r to crim e o r e v il b e tr a y th e ir t r u s t a n d becom e K hain ( ,j— —i>) a n d a r e s in n e r s (A them a > —*1 ) a n d do n o t h a v e th e c h a r a c te r is tic s o f th o s e who a re lo v ed b y A llah.

L'Ua . J—u ; 4—- f j —z f —* '— 3— ^ )

(M X : 1* L JI ) * l U -ilj

(B u t if a n y o n e e a r n s a fa u lt o r a s in a n d th ro w s i t o n to one t h a t i s in n o c e n t, He c a r r ie s (o n h im self) (B o th ) a falseh o o d a n d a f la g r a n t s in ) .

56.T h e a b o v e v e r s e o f th e Holy Q u r'a n is a b o u t th o s e p e r s o n s who c an b e called th e 'a p p r o v e r s '. S u c h p e r s o n s a re c rim in als a n d s in n e r s th e m se lv e s a n d th e y th ro w th e ir fa u lt o r s in on th o s e who may n o t b e o ff e n d e rs in th o s e c rim e s. A bout s u c h p e r s o n s A llah s a y s th a t th e y c a r r y falseh o o d a n d a fla g ra n t s in . T h is is th e re a s o n th a t th e e v id e n c e o f th e c rim in a ls a n d s in n e r s who th ro w th e ir fa u lt a n d s in on o th e r s , is n o t c o n s id e re d to b e a t r u e e v id e n c e b y its e lf . T h e s tu d y o f th e Holy Q u r'a n

•y i

from v e r s e s 105 to 112, S .IV r e v e a ls . a. : n u m b e r o f th in g s a b o u t ju s tic e a n d th e e v id e n c e .

57» B e s id e s th e ab o v e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam a s la id dow n in th e Holy Q u r 'a n , th e follow ing tr a d itio n s o f th e Holy P ro p h e t «r

( JL)I ) a re a lso r e le v a n t

J U p J L ,f tAs. J j I I^ J ^ ^ 5j —

** V} o l f y. 1__ 9- V j --- 9- 4 j !__ U.Z

« I J —J* )J £_M_(J 1 4 j t ---J jj - _ ^-1

(T h e Holy P ro p h e t s a id , s a y s Umar b in S h o a ib , w ith re fe re n c e to h is f a th e r who w ith re f e r e n c e to h is g r a n d - f a th e r th e Holy P r o p h e t( 4__lfr J j l u —Lo ) sa id " T h e e v id e n c e o f K hain (m an a n d K h a 'in a h (w om an) (w ho b e tr a y t h e i r T r u s t) Z ani- Zania a n d o f enem y a g a in s t b r o th e r a n d o f th o s e who liv e in th e h o u s e ( s e r v a n t , fam ily m em bers e t c . ) is n o t a d m is sib le ).

58.T h e e v id e n c e o f an accom plice a s a n a p p r o v e r may b e a r some r e v e n g e o r en m ity to w a rd s h is o th e r a c c u s e d /p a r t n e r s .

T h e Holy P r o p h e t h a s sa id t h a t th e e v id e n c e o f a p e r s o n h a v in g en m ity w ith h is b r o th e r is n o t a c c e p ta b le .' * ^ J )/ j ' (M ish k atu l M asabih, v o l.2 p .6 2 3 tr a n s la tio n b y F azlu l K a rim ).

59.T h e re is a lso a tr a d itio n re la te d from H a z ra t Um ar Ib n A b d u l Aziz w ho is g e n e ra lly k n o w n in th e Islam ic h is to r y a s fifth g u id e d K h alifa. T h e tr a d itio n c le a rly s u p p o r ts th e c o n te n tio n

t h a t th e e v id e n c e o f a n accom plice is n o t a c c e p ta b le in Islam ic law - T h e w ritin g o f th e f if th C aliph i s ju s t lik e a co m m en tary o f th e s a y in g o f th e Holy P r o p h e t.

60.T h e s e a r e th e w o rd s o f th e tr a d itio n

I J J l« J1 jj j 'T jjk - J l ^ ^ Ot J —

4 j1 V JU dJJI ^La aB i J>*v o ' «—'b _ »

' i , t y ___j ii» j —>» J — S vi j V 3 i ^ U ■$,

(r M f U3U - »:*.11 )

(U m ar B in A b d u l Aziz w ro te t h a t e v id e n c e o f o n ly a re lia b le p e rs o n who m u st n o t b e a n a c c u s e d is a c c e p ta b le . I t is fo r th e re a s o n th a t a tr a d itio n from th e Holy P ro p h e t h a s re a c h e d u s t h a t th e Holy P r o p h e t( a .jl.fr mIH ) s a id th a t d e p o sitio n o f a tr e a c h e r o u s m an o r woman i s n o t v a lid n o r of a man h a v in g en m ity w ith h is b r o t h e r . T h e e v id e n c e o f an in n o v a to r is also n o t a c c e p ta b le .)

61.S ec tio n 1705 o f th e Majallah A l-A hkam A l-A d liy a h , T u r k e y , s.tates "A w itn e ss m u st b e a ;p erso n . e n d u e d w ith ju s tic e ( c r e d ib i lity ) ."

62.T h e C ouncil o f Islam ic Id e o lo g y , th e n h e a d e d b y m e, in i t s D ra ft O rd in a n c e on Islam ic Law o f E v id e n c e , 1982 h a s d e fin e d c re d ib le ( J —O w itn e ss a s u n d e r "A dil ( J J l . * ) m eans a Muslim who is know n fo r p e rfo rm in g p r e s c r ib e d re lig io u s d u tie s ( ) a n d a b s ta in s from major s in s ( -j < - b J - ) ."

Now-,.; w ith .’th is b a c k g ro u n d erf-the Q u rah ic com m andm ents a n d s a y in g s o f th e Holy P r o p h e t( . » . u » i n ^ J «9 ) , r e v e r tin g to A rtic le 16 o f th e Q a n u n -e - S h a h a d a t, p e titio n e r in S h a ria t P e titio n N o .2 /K o f 1991 su b m itte d t h a t th e o ffe n c e p u n is h a b le w ith Q isas (R e ta lia tio n ) b e a lso e x c lu d e d from th e g e n e r a l ru le s la id dow n u n d e r A rtic le 16. He u r g e d t h a t th e r e is sim ila rity b e tw ee n th e h a d d and q is a s . R e fe re n c e w as made b y him to a n e x tr a c t from p a g e 63 o f Islam i Q aw aneen H u d o o d , Q isas D iy at a n d T a 'z ir a t (w r itte n b y me) p u b lis h e d b y Q a n u n -i-K u ta b K h a n a, L ah o re 2 n d E d itio n , w hich r e a d s a s u n d e r :- ; i l ' l-i l»o-» u _lo J j -A>

— Ij j 1<> - k i l-w S_u jol-a-S ^

j l jJ I V-i jo1 -oJs g - ^ I e

£* C-<I-J0

j 3- £jk —

Y

I_S Ij— ^ jLia-a i.' i 1Iw C aJ I-3b? jo l-a J j —V

0-*eJ I 3J jojX ^ X.I — jik ^]J_a

R eliance w as a lso p la c e d b y M r.M ohammadi o n th e follow ing o b s e rv a tio n o f M aulana Mohammad T aqi U sm ani, J, in F e d e ra tio n o f P a k is ta n v s . G ul H a ssan K han (PLD 1989 SC

633)a p p e a rin g a t p a g e s 681-682 o f th e R e p o rt w hich re a d s as u n d e r :-

i.> s i A*l£j ^ ^ 1 S^ ^ L il.» Sj Svi 1 I j - u J J i__j 1

.jjl-C -a a---- ^ ,^-J o - l .." 1 .<"■ a - jl - S 1 J - J j k

o- 1

ySA*

|jjiL.I^-l-ij y _ifn~»

J^

(j S rj-lt^A I-J^l-J^g- I Lj.^

yu I

j^jjl-l-i-) yn I l_b^ j j l ^f}A l_J^\

UI u j IAwjjfjj l«£ *

I««^j

U >~1 1 I aJifij

I ?

1JJ ^

CwjJ ]jj jS LJiu 1yayS

Q j^-'ii^ wft^o o l AJO £ l|>g£( # 1A^Y)

a ~ i > ^ 3 j I-j^ S cj l^-$j |j I

Sj ^ ~ii L> 3J^g-S 1^1^_i I O J I.A_Ly*» I—i ^ .j 1_»A j-£ 0I.X—

«y~-~S> TJ _3I ^Aki»_jA ^ j).n'loilr ^ ^ 1|1<W l 1AC^gC O— ^ j|- 9 j

y_*a^’■(-.1C.Jj 0 3 ^ ^ y“I «Aj|»j ■*H A f u J 1.a Ji ^jj-jt.3 g ) l < lj - j ^ - L ^ ^ tfcSjw A l j y_w ^ j 1 at s>i £j y-j-j l-J yuI I» A y J<y^i^~ i L^yaj l_ w j 1 .9-A 8AJJA_i

— ^Jj^iin ^ J I J_IV J fA J l.»JI ^gj 8-Ini.I 1 ^ a~i~fc

jjj ' iA l-L*a_ij^>/ -^-fi_).j a Irtj i i^-1^ a "i .i 11 St y £ L-ilxa 8UCj (j-xs 11— i£mSJ lj S jt)j! C jJ IjSlw yjJitJ) iS ^ A ^aSai\jy &>■j^gSyis* i l_«£ l.ai>.9<.i lj-Ht-j ^al-S^ ^h-L-tSli>l_±-jI j j o > j ^ o j Iam ^ j j 1 <^> |jjl-Al-A-lo J ^ a 8|-S-> kS m j JJ (5*^ ^gA l ^ ^A >_}jis — |j_iA ^g!i]w>jA J^jt.w j£<* J j *A>

OJ”*^ CJ j y»>^p*l-A j -^j ya\ j_i l _j_ijJ »»-i_pjj JjU> y_*a )'c -s i^t

■i-9Ij !__}J-jIJ 1-^ ye I<4-9 a X j j y _ h O l^[|I.Q O-S j m I 1^A Jjlw 8 ) ^ AT J^jT Wklt A i uil 8>1£j JjU> > _ 9 y — La *^ iC_9 uJ U^^_Lv| ]jkJj y _■^ '■

— 1-J^Ll^ y—lyU l^yalaOJ < 1-J^I_L^ jj \ ~IM9 ^gA I ^ jl yS i f i - SJ y " t A i l - U yut y j j j a y jl-« y j j l j ^ l-9 j Ljl—li! ^ ^ y s t-a j 8j^ e OjO> ^ a ja > ^ J lA1^ (f-’J ^ (»>-i-«ya |>gJJj I ^gA_) u^-> tft — ^ iitw > 1 A.Xfliin U y j t < ^ ^gA l y S L_sl J~.a 8 U £ j ^^A-i ^ c‘ I • ^

J

V #

64 s

T h e su b m issio n o f M r.M ohammadi s e e k in g f o r th e

e x c e p tio n in A rtic le 16 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t in r e s p e c t o f th e o ffe n c e p u n is h a b le w ith Q is a s , lik e th a t o f h a d d , is b a s e d on so u n d r e a s o n in g in a s m u c h -a s a c c o rd in g to th e o ft- q u o te d tr a d itio n o f th e Holy P ro p h e t ( ^ l j )

.-,1 _ j j j __s j l j ^ j l t h e p u n is h m e n t o f Q is a s , is also re p u ls e d o n a c c o u n t o f d o u b t lik e t h a t o f h a d d .

65.. It may b e w o rth w h ile to m en tio n h e r e t h a t se c tio n 133 o f th e re p e a le d E v id en ce A c t, 1872 w as c h a lle n g e d b e fo re th is C o u rt b y th e p e titio n e r th r o u g h S h a ria t P e titio n N o . l / K o f 1979 a n d S h a ria t P e titio n No . 2 0 / K o f 1979 w h e re in , in te r - a lia , s e c tio n 133 o f th e E v id en c e A ct w as a lso c h a lle n g e d . The p e titio n s w ere d ism isse d o n th e g ro u n d th a t th e E v id en ce A ct r e la te d to th e p ro c e d u re o f C o u rts a n d was th u s im m une from th e ju ris d ic tio n o f th is C o u rt. O n a p p e a l b e fo re th e A p p ellate S h a ria t B en c h o f th e S u p rem e C o u rt in F e d e ra tio n o f P a k is ta n v s . Gul H a ssa n K h an a lo n g w ith s e v e r a l o th e r c o n n e c te d p e titio n s r e p o r te d in PLD 1989 SC 633 th e q u e s tio n o f s e c tio n 133 o f th e E v id en ce A ct b e in g p ro c e d u ra l o r o th e rw is e o r i t s ex am in atio n o n th e a n v il o f th e Q u r'a n a n d S u n n a h w as n o t c o n s id e re d as th e s a id A ct h a d a lre a d y b e e n re p e a le d a n d th e new law , Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984 h a d come in to fo rc e . T h e re le v a n t o b s e rv a tio n o f M aulana Mohammad T a q i U s m a n i.J , a s q u o te d

r

a b o v e , w as m ade in th e a p p e a l b e fo re th e S h a ria t A p p ellate B en ch file d e a r lie r b y M r.M ohammadi a g a in s t th e d ism issa l o f th e p e titio n N o . l / K o f 1979.

66.I t m ay, h o w e v e r, b e o b s e r v e d h e r e th a t th e p ro v is io n o f A rtic le 16 ( o r fo r t h a t m a tte r s e c tio n 133 o f th e re p e a le d A c t) d o es n o t r e la te to p ro c e d u re b u t d e c la re s th a t a c o n v ic tio n m erely b e c a u s e it is b a s e d on u n c o rro b o ra te d te stim o n y o f a n accom plice is n o t ille g a l. I t , in f a c t, im poses a lia b ility on a n a c c u s e d o f b e in g c o n v ic te d o n c e r ta in p iece o f e v id e n c e in a c e r ta in s itu a tio n w hich in v o lv e s th e q u e stio n o f c o n v ic tio n o f a n a c c u s e d in a c rim e . It c a n n o t, th e r e f o r e , be s a id to be p r o c e d u r a l in n a tu r e . In f a c t, th is p ro v is io n is in v o k e d a n d w o rk s a g a in s t th e a c c u s e d , a n d ta k e s e ffe c t as a s u b s ta n tiv e p ro v is io n o f law .

67 I may a lso r e f e r to M uhammad Alam v s . S ta te (SCMR 1983 P a rt I I , P .1 1 2 7 ) w h e re in M aulana Mohammad T aq i U sm a n i,J, r e f e r r i n g to s e c tio n 133 o f th e re p e a le d A ct (E v id e n ce A ct 1872) o b serv ed as u n d e r

a_S ^ __ & &_> L A L i j 1 ^ I T T ^ ^ I

j ^ ( accom plice ) f>j>

{ in d e p e n d e n t c o rro b o ra tio n )

O fZ l I |j> J-> S_> J_Lj I jj j | J a w l > ^ x-^ ' "• «j |_i OJ^ 1-3« ■ £ I-5j A J-a-cJ I ^*>1 jp ^ > I^ C j£ _ r^ ^ £ -1 ^ 5jT~J, Iq^ui -L S fi 1A^Y o j Ia £

68 . T h e ru le th a t a n accom plice is a co m p eten t w itn e ss a n d th e ju d g m e n t b a s e d so lely on h is e v id e n c e is n o t ille g a l d o es n o t f in d p la c e in th e Muslim Law o f E v id e n c e . T h e re a s o n is o b v io u s . Islam la y s g r e a t s t r e s s on th e c o n d itio n s o f co m p eten ce a n d s ta n d a r d o f p r o b ity a n d r e c titu d e o f a w itn e ss b o th q u a lita tiv e ly a n d q u a n tita tiv e ly . A n accom plice who p a r ta k e s com m ission o f an o ffe n c e becom es fa s iq ( ) and th u s h is te stim o n y is n o t w o rth y o f c r e d e n c e . I t a p p e a r s th a t th e fra m e r o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t O r d e r , 1984, th o u g h c o n s id e re d an accom plice a s in c o m p e te n t w itn e ss in a n o ffen c e p u n is h a b le w ith h a d d , b u t c o n s id e re d him a s co m p eten t w itn e ss in o th e r m a tte r s , p e r h a p s , on th e g r o u n d o f n e c e s s ity , a s it m ay, som etim e b e d iffic u lt to b r in g home th e p rin c ip a l a c c u s e d to g u ilt, w ith o u t h a v in g re c o u r s e to th e e v id e n c e o f an acco m p lice.

69.It is a lso n o tic e a b le t h a t th e p ro p o s e d Islam i Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t O rd in a n c e , 1982, a s d r a f te d b y th e C ouncil o f Islam ic Id eo lo g y ( th e n h e a d e d b y me) d o es n o t c o n ta in a n y s u c h p ro v is io n a s to th e a d m issib ility o r o th e rw is e o f th e e v id e n c e o f a n accom plice.

'70.. M r. J u s tic e K h a lil-u r-R a h m a n , J u d g e o f th e L ah o re H igh C o u rt in h is hook P rin c ip le s a n d D ig e st o f th e Q a n u n -e - S h a h a d a t, a co m m en tary a d a p te d from (la te ) J u s tic e M onir's P rin c ip le s a n d D ig e st o f th e Law o f E v id e n c e , v o l . l p a g e 154, w hile d is c u s s in g A rtic le 16 o f th e Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t h a s s ta te d t h a t " th e p rin c ip le a n d p ro p o s itio n o f law t h a t a c o n v ic tio n is n o t ille g a l m erely b e c a u s e it p ro c e e d s u p o n th e u n c o rro b o ra te d te stim o n y o f a n accom plice c o n ta in e d in A rtic le 16 is n o t in a c c o rd w ith p rin c ip le o f Muslim Law o f E v id e n c e ."

71.F a th i B a h n a si ( ) a m o d ern A rab

S c h o la r in h is b o o k N a zriy ah a l- I th b a t fil F iq al Islam i ( ^ — VI **iJ 1 c*t—y l'jt 4-y—k : ) on Islam ic ju r is p r u d e n c e , p u b lis h e d in 1962 p a g e 84 w rite s t h a t th e e v id e n c e o f a n a c c u s e d o r a p e r s o n , a g a in s t whom a ju d g m e n t h a s b e e n p a s s e d , is n o t a c c e p ta b le in Islam ic Law . He c ite s Mulla K h u sro to s u p p o r t h is c o n te n tio n w h ich r e a d s a s u n d e r :-

^,1 jljl ^ I 'j a—S j l — *■ I J jk I ^ ■

«• 1 J-c Si j U JI iilb ^ J.A—;

(A n in c id e n t h a v in g ta k e n p la c e am ong th e p r is o n e r s in th e p r is o n a n d some o f th em o ffe r th e m se lv e s fo r g iv in g e v id e n c e r e g a r d in g th e in c id e n t, t h e i r e v id e n c e s h a ll n o t b e a c c e p te d ( a g a in s t th e a c c u s e d ) f o r th e re a s o n t h a t th e y all a r e a c c u s e d p e r s o n s , a s m e n tio n e d in A l-Ja m 'a l-K a b ir ( j ') .

'72. A s w ould b e c le a r t h a t in Islam ic law o f E v id e n c e , 'a d il ( J j l ___ &) is a co n d itio n fo r th e a d m issib ility o f th e e v id e n c e o f a w itn e s s , b u t som etim e th e e v id e n c e o f a g h a ir a d il ( J j I—_ » j —gi ) is also a c c e p te d in n e c e s s ity . Allama T a ra b la s i in h is b o o k M u'in a l-H u k k am ( ^ —d ' oe-"- ) w rite s :

^ pJ y (j-i |j I j l i —j j L J l J_ b.1 0 I

j (-*— ~ ^ o 1 J -J— *■ (' ^ j» Sjj^-aU J j J j J I i jL fc ^ ‘ L iiJl , y

( if th e v illa g e rs g a v e e v id e n c e in fa v o u r th e r ig h t o f a woman o r a n o th e r p e rs o n a n d n o n e o f them is a d il ( J j L .p ) th e Qazi will d e c id e th e c a se o n th e b a s is o f e v id e n c e o f a la rg e n u m b e r o f s u c h w itn e ss (la c k in g ^a d h la h ) .

He f u r t h e r w rite s :

^13 j j U l J.. V\ L J U . j U JI ^ U J I 0 t5*IJ1 "

•J 1 A~ ^ J ^ 1j J £ —1 1 g... ■; A* ^ *A «;

( if th e m a jo rity o f th e r e s id e n ts in a lo c a lity a r e e v il- d o e r s , th e e v id e n c e o f some o f them will b e a c c e p te d fo r a n d a g a in s t th e o th e r s so t h a t th e ir in t e r e s t s may n o t s u f f e r a n d th e ir p r o p e r tie s a n d r i g h t s m ay n o t b e d e s tr o y e d ) He c o n tin u e s :

^ j ij -i L~*-> J j _ f t QgfZ IJ l

o'*

<a-—* *i LJL. 1_* J V

( if , in th e o p in io n o f a ju d g e , a n e v il-d o e r g iv e s t r u e e v id e n c e , h e sh o u ld a c c e p t h is e v id e n c e a n d h is e v il-d o in g in o th e r m a tte rs

will n o t h arm i t , b e c a u s e a p e r s o n may b e e v il-d o e r in one m a tte r w hile h e m ay n o t b e e v il-d o e r in another m a tte r ."

(A l- T a ra b la s i, A la u d d in A b u l H asan Ali Ib n K halil: M u'in al H ukkam ( ) , p r in te d Q a n d a h a r, A fg h a n is ta n , p a g e s 145, 146).

73.A n o th e r c o n te m p o ra ry s c h o la r A b d u l F a tta h Muhammad A bu A l-A in ain w rite s , " th e c o n fe ss io n o f c o -a c c u s e d will be r e s t r i c t e d to h is ow n o ffe n c e a n d will n o t b e e x te n d e d to a n y b o d y e lse e v e n h is c o -a c c u s e d . T h u s i f some p e rs o n s jo in tly commit a n o ffe n c e a n d th e n o n e o f th em c o n fe s s e s th e com m ission o f th e o ffen c e a n d g iv e s e v id e n c e on h is o th e r c o -a c c u s e d , h is c o n fe ssio n will o n ly b e r e s t r i c t e d to him a n d will n o t b e ta k e n a s e v id e n c e a g a in s t h is c o - a c c u s e d ." (A l-Q ad a W a'l I th b a t ( y ) C a iro , p .4 9 3 ) .

74.T h is fa c t h a s b e e n p a r tly in c o rp o ra te d in illu s tra tio n (b ) o f s e c tio n 129 o f Q a n o o n -e -S h a h a d a t 1984 w h e re in th e C o u rt h a s b e e n a u th o r is e d th a t u n d e r th e c irc u m s ta n c e s o f a p a r tic u la r c a s e , i t m ay p re su m e t h a t a n accom plice is u n w o rth y o f c r e d it u n le s s h e is c o rro b o ra te d in m a te ria l p a r tic u la r s .

75.I t is p e r tin e n t to m ention th a t n o n -a d m is s ib ility o f th e e v id e n c e o f a n accom plice is n o t r e s t r i c t e d to a n o ffen ce liab le to h a d d b u t it is a lso e x te n d e d to a n o ffen c e liab le to Q isas ( ^ s\ __) . T h u s in a n o ffe n c e , p u n is h a b le w ith ta 'z ir ( — J_«c) i . e . th e o ffe n c e s o th e r th a n p u n is h a b le w ith h a d d a n d

Q isas m ay be u s e d a s c irc u m s ta n tia l e v id e n c e ( <^—^ 1j i o j l — ) i f i t is c o rro b o ra te d b y o th e r in d e p e n d e n t e v id e n c e .

76>. S ectio n 16 o f th e Q a n o o n -e -S h a h a d a t 1984 is , th e r e f o r e , d e c la re d a s r e p u g n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam .

A n accom plice is n o t a co m p e ten t w itn e ss in o ffe n c e s p u n is h a b le w ith Qisas as-W ell,besides Hadd. A oonvfction'based o n h is u n c o rro b o ra te d te stim o n y -even .in. m a tte rs o f t a 'z i r will b e ille g a l.

III. TENDER OF PARDON TO ACCOMPLICE (SECTIO N S

337, 338, 339 AND 339-A OF THE C r . P . C . 1898).

7 7. While c o n s id e rin g s e c tio n s 337, 338 a n d 339 o f C r .P .C . it m ay b e s ta t e d th a t in th e P a k is ta n Law o f e v id e n c e P akistan C rim inal P ro c e d u re C o d e, we come a c r o s s w ith two te rm s : O ne is accom plice a n d th e o th e r i s a p p r o v e r . Sometim es th e s e te rm s a p p e a r to h a v e b e e n u s e d in te r c h a n g e a b ly . T he d is tin c tio n , h o w e v e r, re m a in s th a t a n a p p r o v e r i s alw ay s an accom plice w h e re a s a n accom plice is n o t n e c e s s a rily a n a p p r o v e r , a s a n accom plice o r c o -a c c u s e d becom es a n a p p r o v e r a f te r he h a s b e e n te n d e r e d a p a rd o n o r g r a n te d c o n c e ssio n o n th e c o n d itio n th a t h e will re v e a l th e t r u t h a n d will n o t h id e a n y th in g in re la tio n to th e o ffen c e o r o ffe n c e s w hich h e a n d th e o th e r a c c u s e d a re a lle g e d to h a v e co m m itted; R e le v a n t s e c tio n s 337, 338, 339 a n d 339-A o f C r . P . C . a r e r e p r o d u c e d : - S ectio n 337: " T e n d e r o f p a rd o n to acco m p lice♦"

(1)In th e c a s e o f a n y o ffe n c e tr ia b le e x c lu siv e ly b y th e H igh C o u rt o r C o u rt o f S e s s io n , or a n y o ffe n c e p u n is h a b le w ith th e im p riso n m en t w hich m ay e x te n d to te n y e a r s , o r a n y o ffen c e p u n is h a b le u n d e r s e c tio n 211 o f th e P a k is ta n P en al C ode w ith im p riso n m en t w hich may e x te n d to s e v e n y e a r s , o r a n y o ffen c e u n d e r a n y o f th e follow ing s e c tio n s o f th e P a k is ta n P en al C o d e, n am ely , s e c tio n s 216A, 369, 401, 435 a n d 477A, ( th e D is tric t M a g istra te o r S u b -D iv isio n a l M a g istra te ) m ay , a t a n y s ta g e o f th e in v e s tig a tio n o r in q u ir y in to , o r th e tr i a l o f th e o ffe n c e , w ith a view to o b ta in in g th e e v id e n c e o f a n y p e r s o n s u p p o s e d to h a v e b e e n d ir e c tly o r in d ir e c tly c o n c e rn e d in o r p r iv y to th e o ffe n c e , t e n d e r a p a rd o n to s u c h p e r s o n on co n d itio n o f h is m ak in g a fu ll a n d t r u e d is c lo s u re o f th e whole o f th e c irc u m s tn a c e s w ith in h is k n o w led g e re la tiv e to th e o ffen c e a n d to e v e r y o th e r p e r s o n c o n c e rn e d , w h e th e r, a s p rin c ip a l o r a b e tto r , in th e com m ission th e re o f:

"P ro v id e d t h a t no p e r s o n s h a ll b e te n d e r e d p a rd o n who is in v o lv e d in a n o ffe n c e re la tin g to h u r t o r q a tl w ith o u t p e rm issio n o f th e v ictim o r , a s th e c a s e m ay b e , o f th e h e ir s o f th e v ic tim 11. (A m ended b y P re s id e n tia l O r d : l o f 1991).

(2 ) E v e ry p e rs o n a c c e p tin g a te n d e r u n d e r th is s e c tio n s h a ll b e ex am in ed a s a w itn e ss in th e s u b s e q u e n t t r i a l , if a n y .

- 3S -

(2A ) In e v e r y c a se w h e re a p e r s o n h a s a c c e p te d a te n d e r o f p a rd o n a n d h a s b e e n exam ined u n d e r s u b - s e c tio n ( 2 ) , th e M a g istra te b e fo re whom th e p ro c e e d in g s a r e p e n d in g s h a ll, if h e is s a tis fie d t h a t th e r e a re re a so n a b le g ro u n d s fo r b e lie v in g t h a t th e a c c u s e d is g u ilty o f a n o ffe n c e , commit him f o r tr i a l to th e Cburt o f S essio n o r H igh C o u rt, a s th e c a se m ay b e .

(3 ) S u c h p e r s o n , u n le s s h e is a lre a d y on b a il, s h a ll b e d e ta in e d in c u s to d y u n til th e te rm in a tio n o f th e t r i a l ” .

338.P ow er to g r a n t o r t e n d e r p a r d o n . A t a n y time b e fo re th e ju d g m e n t is p a s s e d , th e H igh C o u rt o r th e C o u rt o f S e ssio n tr y i n g th e c a s e m ay, w ith th e view o f o b ta in in g o n th e tr i a l th e e v id e n c e o f a n y p e rs o n s u p p o s e d to h a v e b e en d ire c tly o r in d ir e c tly c o n c e rn e d in , o r p r iv y to , a n y s u c h o ffe n c e , t e n d e r , o r o r d e r th e D is tric t M a g istra te to t e n d e r , a p a rd o n on th e same c o n d itio n to s u c h p e r s o n .

" P ro v id e d th a t n o p e r s o n s h a ll b e te n d e r e d p a rd o n who is in v o lv e d in an o ffe n c e re la tin g to h u r t o r q a tl w ith o u t p e rm issio n o f th e victim o r a s th e c a se m ay b e o f th e h e ir s o f th e v ic tim ."

(A m ended b y P r e s id e n tia l O rd in a n c e N o .l o f

339.T ria l o f p e r s o n to whom p a rd o n h a s b e e n te n d e r e d .

(1 ) W here a p a rd o n h a s b e e n te n d e r e d u n d e r S ectio n 337 o r S ectio n 338, a n d th e P u b lic P ro s e c u to r c e r tif ie s t h a t in h is o p in io n a n y p e r s o n who h a s a c c e p te d s u c h te n d e r h a s ,

e ith e r b y w illfully c o n c e a lin g a n y th in g e s s e n tia l o r b y g iv in g fa lse e v id e n c e , n o t com plied w ith th e c o n d itio n o n w h ich th e t e n d e r w as m ade s u c h p e r s o n m ay b e tr ie d fo r th e o ffen c e in r e s p e c t o f w h ich th e p a rd o n w as so te n d e r e d , o r fo r a n y o th e r o ffe n c e o f w hich h e a p p e a r s to h a v e b e en g u ilty in c o n n e c tio n w ith th e same m a tte r:

P ro v id e d t h a t s u c h p e r s o n s h a ll n o t b e tr i e d jo in tly w ith a n y o f th e o th e r a c c u s e d a n d t h a t h e s h a ll b e e n title d to p le a d at s u c h tr i a l t h a t h e h a s com plied w ith th e c o n d itio n s u p o n w hich s u c h t e n d e r w as m a d e ;

in w hich c a se it s h a ll b e fo r th e p ro s e c u tio n to p ro v e t h a t s u c h c o n d itio n s h a v e n o t b e en com plied w ith .

(2)T h e s ta te m e n t m ade b y a p e r s o n who h a s a c c e p te d a te n d e r o f p a rd o n m ay b e g iv e n in e v id e n c e a g a in s t him a t s u c h tr i a l.

(3)No p ro s e c u tio n fo r th e o ffe n c e o f g iv in g fa lse e v id e n c e in r e s p e c t o f s u c h s ta te m e n t s h a ll b e e n te r ta in e d w ith o u t th e s a n c tio n o f th e H igh C o u rt.

339A P ro c e d u re in tr i a l o f p e rs o n u n d e r S e c tio n 339.

(1)T h e C o u rt t r y i n g u n d e r Section339 a p e rs o n who h a s a c c e p te d a t e n d e r o f p a rd o n s h a ll, b e fo re th e e v id e n c e o f th e w itn e ss e s fo r th e p ro s e c u tio n is ta k e n , a s k th e a c c u s e d w h e th e r h e p le a d s th a t h e h a s com plied w ith th e c o n d itio n s o n w hich th e te n d e r o f th e p a rd o n w as m ade.

J

- c4 l -

(2)I f th e a c c u s e d d o es so p le a d , th e C o u rt sh all r e c o r d th e p le a a n d p ro c e e d w ith th e tr i a l, a n d s h a ll, b e fo re ju d g m e n t is p a s s e d in th e c a se fin d w h e th e r o r n o t th e a c c u s e d h a s

com plied w ith th e c o n d itio n s o f th e p a r d o n ,

a n d , i f i t is fo u n d th a t h e h a s so com plied,

th e C o u rt s h a ll, n o tw ith s ta n d in g a n y th in g c o n ta in e d in th is C ode, p a s s ju d g m e n t o f

a c q u itta l.

7$ , A lth o u g h th e a b o v e p ro v is io n s a re c o n ta in e d in th e C rim inal P ro c e d u re Code b u t lo o k in g to th e ir im p licatio n s it c a n n o t be s a id th a t th e y a r e sim ply p ro c e d u ra l in n a tu r e . They r e la te to th e p riv ile g e o r r ig h t o f th e R u le r o r th e S ta te a n d th e r i g h t s o f th e h e ir s o f th e d e c e a s e d o r th e victim w hich a re o f s u b s ta n tiv e n a tu r e .

79 .. A n a p p r o v e r , on h is ow n a d m issio n , is a crim inal who im p lica te s h is e rs tw h ile a s s o c ia te s in crim e in o r d e r to sav e h is ow n s k in u n d e r a p ro m ise o f p a rd o n t h a t h e d isc lo se s all th a t h e k n ow s a g a in s t th o s e w ith whom h e a ss o c ia te d c rim in a lly a n d th is e x p e c ta tio n w ould le a d him to fa v o u r th e p r o s e c u tio n . It h a s t h u s , b e e n o b s e r v e d b y S ir J o h n B eau m o u n t in B h u b o n i S a h u .

V . T h e K ing (PLD 1949 FC 90) t h a t " th e d a n g e r o f a c tin g u p o n accom plice e v id e n c e is n o t m e re ly t h a t th e accom plice is on h is ow n adm issio n a man o f b a d c h a r a c te r who to o k p a r t in th e o ffen c e a n d a f te r w a r d s to sa v e h im self b e tr a y e d h is fo rm e r a s s o c ia te s ,

a n d who h a s p la c e d h im se lf in a p o s itio n in w hich h e c an h a r d ly fail to h a v e a s tr o n g b ia s in fa v o u r o f th e p ro s e c u tio n " .

80.T h e C ouncil o f Islam ic Id eo lo g y in i t s 9 th R e p o rt on Islam izatio n o f Law s r e la tin g to th e Code o f C rim inal P ro c e d u re in S e p te m b e r, 1983 ( th e n h e a d e d b y me) r e g a r d in g s e c tio n s 337, 338 a n d 339 recom m ended a s u n d e r : -

iS" 8_i I J_i Ijj 3 3 a I j J 8 tmIni JJLCj"

ii'i-i 1 3 ^ .3 J — l_j lowjJ SOXj l-£ ■_91

o Ij a i £ t a l-l !•> ^ ^ • ~•-j

|0 l_

X > 80X

^ 3 ±Jua ( Cjdljiui Si 3 JS

J j ■!-- -j-3 j ' ■*~ i * I . S ^.3-13 a i 1_b5> j 1j_i 1 u-i 1-£j j l ft j> — LfrHr* •-s’ ^ 3 *

5i * _9l-£-o SOXj S _>—(j-uS i-S-LixLa I u»1 j A - t

l L 3O 1 > -^ > 3 ^ I -J Q > W iy > _ ^ a 3 I j j I ^ m _ ll j ^ l j Ij j l 4_i j _ i l«j_> ^ax j ,^^-a1-C— a s1 Ij 3 I j j I j £I <

LS p j_ —> *3 ^ 33 ^ ‘ 1^3* J*-*4- * ^ ^ ^ C -' ^ij-o

^.i ..I m a » I I ^ ax_i a* <-^>3^ | S w j _ u < 1^ Ij * I_iJ j I jJj i_ iij j j j |j&a ^j A-i s a x j ^ M ^ ,l j ^ l lj_jj_i1^i_> 1j_<n 'i j I-jiii.1* I !■£ j S >_sl.x-3 3» sax 3 j * iS^t^tS L*j i 1 * l i-i I l^y ^l j j l l-ss-j jJj j_k£ sjx j Sj J^l J i J_I O-ij^i —l-^Xi SOiQ iiim 1^ jjj f I ,a_iI l-S”f j ! I <3 A jj * i~if-i_jOi ^^ ^_J

C^J *9

_i ,3> I ^ jJw I-j jO> <3A (jol^uS ^_u>3^ j 1j j 14j

sax 3 83 x»Ij - 3^ ^ I 3-1 jj-j j <91-c-o |sJk l_i^ 80x 3 ^3 l_j uj %_j 3ax 3 31, ^ £ 3jxwi 1- j 33 ! 0_jjJi'uil-e-s ^ 3* 33a l.3^l_k^ \S 331 3J1 < 33I 1^ s a x 3 aiLLi l-^~ 1 ■ ^

J j -i i rt ,jJ jj^ l OC_> j l j-J I * u - V J - J 1-5 ^ I x - s SU Cj l^jA l_y_l(I-j ^jL > j j l < l-£ ^.^nl jA <— flix_9 jCl j ^ >OIa * ue&*ti ^JjJ>wl_J

b-*»jjj j IJ> I— l>j.9 1-^ v_^ l i u j I f>j> ^.iii—i! ^ c ? j l jJil l«*_i I j^ l j i ’ < d u J 'Mj -j ^AlCijA Cm I-j i3> ,^-11-9 IS < guS u**! iS-L tjr*e-‘ o5'

£ > •—A > \ * O j S \ jCl_jA |»j*/ j-JjAC> * laJki j j l j j O i S j iJ jj_ W <JI_9< (JtfJ I jjl |j_ ^ i 1 ^ j A i_j l x ^ jC> ^ j j ^ i _ s l x ^ j ^ 3 j - i > 1^ jS s u c j ^ _ > ^ ' l> - j_ j j^I < i~iji 1 1 < ,j_kl I^»jA kj lx-9 j— 1^Jj^>-9lx^o iif— j jl jJI

-k«Ci 1-^ ^ J j S > S \ ^ - o ^ S I J jl j^ 1-3 i_i Cm $ S > jC> £ j S S C '_ jl x^) !jU-*a f - e j J I j l , j j j I «1X» i S lj r j J b ^ j S m j S S_j L_i Cm j-£ > 1 ~i ,1 11 j^ j Lc j ,jJI-9 qI o-*“ o ' -a s '— ^ O' £-*

tf-S’ .*5 3* pjV jx lOw ^ j l j j l o-l jS \ J-Jj*0 SO-JI £ > i j S fCi» } S j fto (jti I j Q > l.o«i ^ J-3 j j I I^ j_< J jX o ‘ * J - 1 >=< 'Ov (jil j

h»~ > 5<4£j 2_i jC_jA (9 j—lx_9 1-^l-ic I.J S-jXj-1 CliiiI— mi IjijS1 Uxl j ^ |9^lx-

' i ~*.i i ~ i.ji f j - j ^ jo vc H e .1 1j ^S" j ^ jl j j I j^ l &_i ^ A I ~i ^‘iiiij ^ ^ a _ i £—■S’ |»_j> ^j^lOfcj " I-5 'jjjj£i_9l.A* j_ijXCi ,j_W) jC ^ aICljJ j S (jaflwJjj I j j l > _ilx_9 _j^^j£Ct Jj iJXJ IMW> JX_i jljJl ^Si^l\S jjj\

~ ^ lH vO !>— ^ isO^O4^-

iJ i i —>0 ij> j j — j-J ^ 9 !-i 2- 9 ^ |* |» I ^ 'lA ^ ill III J j - « »~ ,jU I : ot**j j^ o * = v u^ j '-

jjj>w V 4»l j ^ _* 9,. feLl.*J I ^1 J a I ' (jI Ij .1 >*J ' O ff j _j—

*J I

( 111 r j j ) j» j ->cJI — j . j l i i )L h i.i,. j 4—S j^ s j j 1 -> (jij )-A-T)C*£ L j l i j j j 3-J !j—M J » S S &-I 3->-® !j-M j_ij.eC> j j l U> ; jC

u -

' O**^* j y JrtjZ- 1 _>J I —^ A U* ^ J - 1 1 ^ o " l ^ - S j» I «o I U — ^a_i J 5J l«u &y jSc*£ l-a«» 11* • -)

J - - - - - i j j l 4 _ J J — * f L-,*>!l 0 I ^ _ i ,y y ,_5— ) L « j *11 U b - dU j d— 1 , j l — ; S, .,_ .:iil » - L - * J ,j_ -ij~ n ^ Lfl—j # s J J 4— j J ^Ju*J 1 ,jU a , ... « l I gt> J 0 g L ( \n ^ r i> t j \ ,.-.»j i j,)

^_S f U l l ^ T i T ^ jS* L S ^ i i i l Q-J-) ‘rJmJJ t 'if f»A J rt.«»jll 0-1 OyxJj-j ~wm ^ S 8j.'i * j j I lyl-SjA ,_lal^ jJ u Jp ’ ^j_ka J—oL» j A c y> u** ’a - 1 J-^ pl-jl iS ^A (j>- u r!

o - l * - » i* y ^ - ^ A y ? ! j o-y-s o J J J ^ a_ L II j _ j J > _y> ^ A l« i_ j A a S.’ijyS <^A u_i>1 j Cj- ! I i_S^£> ^ S J 1pj~ 11 ^S —^A|j-^A _U U j j^ 'ia 0^ “ J-lfi 3> o-J-a j ^ J J l __p^ (y L * Jlj *1^- 'V < J ) < - J >—JU ( JL-nJI (j^- ) p-J o il 1 ( y jt) U r!-* 0 “' Ui.yA._JU OycJI J> o~«>o“» f J > «J J j ' ; &A»3 _^A|j J J lj>l_-Si_9Ix-a !_j ^ j_ j

OAl-ij_jJay ^ y *J* • o^“J J i / «*«j

iS IS ^ 5 U » *y ^ •“ ! > » , ^ - i i oy-> ’(j“ 1 j£J ^ l 0" 5 jl j-sl-j a>>- l_*S j l j j l 1-^ {»j*“ aj jju» US ^j> o -> ji< j ' >* f>?“ *-=* li-^1- ^ s2^ ^ J j U j_Li£ J j l < l-*J iO^r-' Jjl-C l_yA 3-1 j o**" ^ dr1-^ O"' <£* JZ ,j j s H Jj-H-» OJl-A-i o-l >-iiU ^-S 0 _jo- j J I ^ , J < O jlA i 1^ ^A j Jjaaw uSi o l J ^ o - l " 8>»l-s iao" j i > s l l-^o“l ^

» -9^ ^j-ijd j l j j | l-£(j»l "juas-ue aa»'jl jJI

jjJa-i&J )S ^a j .I~if-a jl j j l jjJay 4j jl j j l S _I 1.5(j»l ijj j^jd I

‘-S_il^j-J-0 ,j - jj.'Xl i j \j ‘r>~' <"1 *■£ ^ A l Ti ^mj A S d _ u lj L i i l ftj . j J | i , - . j I j k *.

tjh Hj * 1^ 1 j J ? l ^ | j 1 ^ j l-j-> J l.J-9 2 U i£ j^ "S-j -9 < ^ £ i |j> j A 1J a j l«uT J l-o 3—>*-£!-£ ^ £ w l^ i- > j l .'.>w — 1-^ ^ J L j j A d a T j> i J L ij j* « a J 1 ^ jjl ^CiAl-jtai jjSyjl Ab u 'J ^ “ 1 -“ ^^*“1j^ V ‘ 1-J-S jj (j-^juL ^ £ (jj

jjl j l j-*l J j^*v gKV~ 1--1 ,^1 j j j 1-^0“I *■£^alj*S«j* ^ !,»

ts— ? o W* j j l j l j j l y -1 ^-Si-aJI _ < ^S* J i b s-Ljjj j l j* y . j j |_ i

1J—j j l-»jA Cfcjl-i |0j> | i^J i 1-iijA j j aj J ~ J !-d jt^jo ud (j_*a 1 si l j j

o l.£ - o j j ^ o ^ jU d ^ js l-a ij d jd > j S sl jia o Id ij isw l_ ja - g ^ l- 'r'jr' j ^ lwC*djS> ,j_uo jJ j£ - j k_L?>j* (»j> «.~i i II « I ~i^wl.> |«*i J r 1.*6- 1V^j-> f^ l j> O' ^>1 j-il-a lijA jLijdM l-£ ^ j i uil-td, j^j*j> ^ jin jid l-u .

j—»— I a—j-j l- J c jjja 0-j »->l jA aJUl J j i ^ j- L o l-i {j?

I-?1 j j J ■■' ‘J* 1- 1'1- ^ S -j-jjj _ j i , j t._ u S Ij i u j |^ « 3U£ j jjl J--- il-C <LoJ jjl &ji_kJl i 1^ ^jlw» 1-*£ J j-J-3 d&j]-w Cjj _Lj ^ddb l_j ^ ■■■- 1-^ J 1-8 (jjl dj > iS S_i ,jS ^ ilj> Jajl-“ , j j I d S jj ^ J U (jJI j jA ^£-»Ij>jA d-iOl j j jpj j^ t j |Jirf j^ y j| l-o

81.. D r.A b d u l M alik I r f a n i h a s w ritte n in h is b o o k Island Q a n u n -e -S h a h a d a t P u b . 1989 L ah o re t h a t :

‘ <£■* t? 0* s]S* 3s #1>^ o rr^ J I w d lA i’

sl jSI j-.jd (^.>2 Si_Jl —^A1-jit l-j jj-alr Sl j j ^ U x ij (jJ-^-5 (jO^—IjiL J oVU t-ji (.j-L. v

-SL

dl ^ (j^, u>°jJ-* ^ f>> Jjl ^ S

IOdlAS ^(jjl O d O ^ G j j jj S_Ijlij J^ jo^Lol ^il^jjjjj ^dldij

t^ijS

82.A p a rt from th e Q u r'a n ic In ju n c tio n s , th e

ra tio n a le in Islam fo r d is c a rd in g o r n o t b e lie v in g th e e v id e n c e o f a n a p p r o v e r w ith o u t c o rro b o ra tio n is th a t a n a p p r o v e r is lik e ly to d e p o se fa ls e ly in o r d e r to s h if t th e b lam e. His e v id e n c e is o p e n to su sp ic io n a n d h is c re d ib ility is d o u b tfu l. It has been h e ld in Ram zan Ali V e rs u s th e S ta te (PLD 1967 SC 545) th a t "w h ere a n accom plice is n o t m ade a n a p p r o v e r b u t ex am in es as w itn e s s , th o u g h h e co u ld h a v e b e e n m ade a n a p p r o v e r , h is e v id e n c e s h a ll b e v iew ed w ith g r e a t s u s p ic io n " .

83- I t is to b e n o te d th a t a p p r o v e r 's e v id e n c e is no t f o r th e sa k e o f A llah th e A lm ighty a s in v a ria b ly o rd a in e d b y Holy Q u r 'a n . *1) 5 j L_»uU1 1j ..^ J \ j In fa c t a n a p p r o v e r g iv e s e v id e n c e in th e h o p e o f im plied p a rd o n w ith a m otive to s e c u re h is lib e r ty o r to sa v e h is life . His e v id e n c e is lik e ly to b e b ia se d in fa v o u r o f p ro s e c u tio n th e r e b y h e lo se s th e c h a r a c te r is tic o f b e in g an in d e p e n d e n t 'A dil w itn e s s , in a s m uch a s h e se lls h is te stim o n y fo r h is p e rs o n a l g ain a n d c a n n o t b e te rm e d a s a n in d e p e n d e n t w itn e s s . In all p ro b a b ility , h e is lik e ly to minim ize h is ro le a n d e x a g g e ra te th e ro le o f o th e r a c c u s e d a s h e b e in g a c o -a c c u s e d is n o t le g a lly d is c h a rg e d a n d c o n tin u e s to b e an a c c u s e d . T h e re is e v e r y p o s s ib ility in a c tin g u p o n th e te stim o n y o f a n accom plice th a t in a d e s ir e to s c r e e n h is p a r t n e r in th e crim e h e may s u b s titu te

f o r him a co m p letely in n o c e n t p e r s o n . T h e p o s s ib ility o f h is e x o n e r a tin g th e a c tu a l c u lp r it c a n n o t b e r u le d o u t; h e m ay b e th e a c tu a l c u lp r it a n d h e m ay s h ift th e blam e to c o -a c c u s e d . F u rth e rm o re , th e p ro v is io n o f law m ay b e m isused in a s m uch a s it p ro v id e s an o p p o r tu n ity to p e r s o n s in a u th o r ity to in v o lv e th e ir o p p o n e n t in crim in al c a s e s who m ay b e im p lica te d fa ls e ly on th e te stim o n y o f an a p p ro v e r. T h e c o n v ic tio n on th e u n c o rro b o ra te d te stim o n y o f a n accom plice s ta n d s n o m e rit in Islam ic law o f e v id e n c e . He b e in g a f a s iq , h is te stim o n y is to b e c o rro b o ra te d b y o th e r in d e p e n d e n t e v id e n c e , a s a lre a d y o b s e r v e d .

84.T h e re a re v e r s e s o f th e Holy Q u ra n w hich m ake o u t th e p h ilo so p h y o f crim e a n d p u n is h m e n t in Islam t h a t e v e r y p e r s o n is re s p o n s ib le to h is a c tio n s in th is w o rld a n d th e w o rld H e re a fte r, a n d e v e ry o n e who e a r n s s in a n d d o es w ro n g s h o u ld b e p u n is h e d a c c o rd in g ly .

( 1 Tr = t * L -Ji ) * ^ '

(W hosoever w o rk e th a n e v il, s h a ll b e r e q u itte d t h e r e w ith ) .

c l ‘.__11 L *!>■

( A t - TA l ) U ^ yL 1yj 15” L

( W hosoever b r in g t h e v il, th e n th o s e who do ill w orks s h a ll b e re w a r d e d o n ly fo r t h a t w hich th e y h a v e b e e n w o r k in g ) .

M• = ) - o A - ” r-S'L ^ J-* "

i

(A re y e b e in g r e q u i r e d a u g h t s a v e t h a t w h ic h y e h a v e b e e n w o r k in g .) .

( I T * • ^ L * - 'V I ) » ly B ” U o irT -s -" 0>!— 0 = ^ * 0 * ’ r” (V e rily th o s e w ho e a rn s in , an o n w ill th e y b e re q u ite d f o r t h a t w h ic h th e y w e re w o n t t o d o ).

( °y ■* -ft* )* ' y* 0i u, o - t 'j r J i i •

(T h a t A lla h m ay r e q u i t e a c h s o u l; a c c o r d in g t o t h a t w h ic h h e h a th e a r n e d ; v e r i l y A lla h i s s w i f t in re c k o n in g )

( 1 1 * : r ol»** j j ) V (* ) VI Vi UL !L o * j‘

(W h o so e v e r w i l l com e w ith a s v ic e s h a l l n o t b e r e q u ite d s a v e w ith th e lik e th e r e o f an d th e y s h a ll n o t b e w ro n g e d ) ( l i t : ^ L * - 'V I )* j J_ > 3y jl r Vj '-*-1-6' V ' ^ J t J J S " £ Vj (E v e ry s o u l d ra w s th e m eed o f i t s a c ts on none b u t its e lf: no b e a re r o f b u rd e n s can b e a r th e b u rd e n of a n o th e r)

35, T he d o c trin e o f p e rs o n a l r e s p o n s ib ility a g a ih .

We a re f u lly r e s p o n s ib le f o r o u r a c t s o u r s e lv e s : We c a n n o t tr a n s f e r th e c o n se q u e n c e s to som eone e ls e . N or can anyone v ic a r io u s ly a to n e f o r o u r s in s . (A b d u lla h Y o u s a f A l i p . 3 3 9 ) . I n S u r a h X X IX :1 3 w e a r e t o l d t h a t t h e m is le a d e rs " w ill b e a r th e b u rd e n s a l o n g w i t h t h e i r o w n ."

T h o se a r e th e b u rd e n s o f m is le a d in g o th e r s w ith t h e i r fa ls e h o o d s . S o , b o th th e s in s a r e t h e i r ow n; v i s , t h e i r o r ig in a l s in , a n d th e s in o f d e lu d in g th e o th e r s . T he r e s p o n s ib ility o f an a p p ro v e r w ho im p lic a te s f a ls e ly

a c o -a c c u s e d w i l l , t h e r e f o r e , b e d o u b le d , b o th .in t h i s w o rld a n d in th e ,w o r ld H e r e a f te r .

86.- T e n d e r lin g - p a r d o n , t o a n a c c o m p l i c e a n d m a k e h im a p p ro v e r o n th e c o n d itio n to d is c lo s e a l l th e f a c t s a n d p a r ts p la y e d b y h is c o -a c c u s e d a s p ro v id e d in s e c tio n 3 3 7 , 3 3 8 a n d 3 3 9 o f C r i ^ t i a l ^ P ro ce d u re C o d e , a c c o r d i n g t o Is la m ic L aw , i s n o t p e rm is s ib le in an o ffe n c e lia b le t o h a d d a s h a d d c a n n o t b e w a iv e d , re d u c e d , e n h a n c e d o r a lte re d in an y c a se by an y o n e. B u t a s f a r a s te n d e rin g p a r d o n t o h im i n c a s e o f t a ' z i r is c o n c e rn e d , i t is p e rm is s ib le i f i t i s b a se d o n " p u b lic in te r e s t" b e c a u s e t a 'z i r c a n b e w a iv e d b y a r u l e r , l e g i s l a t u r e o r J u d g e i f h e deem s i t n e c e s s a ry in th e c irc u m s ta n c e s o f a p a r t i c u l a r c a s e . A lla m a S h a m i, a s q u o te d e a r l i e r h a s w ritte n i n h i s b o o k R a d d a l - M u h t a r ( j L ^ sw - J I j j ’} t h a t " th e d i f f e r e n c e b e tw e e n h a d d a n d t a 'z i r i s t h a t c o n tra ry to t a 'z i r n o re c o m m e n d a tio n c a n b e a c c e p te d _ in H ad d a n d t h a t a r u l e r c a n n o t w a iv e i t a n d i t i s ( a l s o ) d ro p p e d b y th e d e la y { ) . (S h a m i, Ib n A b id in , R ad d A l-M u h ta r. v o l r l l l p a g e 1 9 4 ). H e f u r t h e r w r ite s , " s o f a r a s p a rd o n in g o f a n a c c o m p lic e in m a tte r o f t a 'z i r i s c o n c e rn e d , i t i s o n ly p e r m is s ib le w hen t a 'z i r r e l a t e s to th e r i g h t o f A lla h a n d th u s i t w ill n o t b e p e r m is s ib le i f t a 'z i r r e la te s to th e r ig h t o f an in d iv id u a l u n le s s

th e victim h im se lf p a rd o n s h im ." ( ib id ,p a g e 239) lik e th e o ffen c e o f m u rd e r a n d h u r t .

87.T h e r e f o r e , in c a se o f a n a p p r o v e r , h is e v id e n c e a g a in s t h is c o -a c c u s e d s h a ll n o t b e a c c e p te d u n le s s it is c o rro b o ra te d w ith o th e r e v id e n c e b e c a u s e in th is c a s e h is e v id e n c e is n o t o n ly u n a c c e p ta b le on th e g ro u n d t h a t h e is a c c u s e d b u t a lso on th e g ro u n d t h a t h e g a in s b e n e fit o n h is e v id e n c e w hich is n o t p e rm issib le in Islam ic law .

88 . A n o ffe n c e o f m u rd e r a n d h u r t p u n is h a b le w ith Q isas c a n n o t b e w aiv ed b y a n y o n e e x c e p t th e h e ir s o f th e v ictim in c a se o f m u rd e r o r th e victim h im se lf in c a se o f h u r t . I t is n o tic e ab le t h a t n e c e s s a r y am endm ent to th is e ffe c t h a s b e e n made in s e c tio n s 337 a n d 338 o f C r . P . C . , v id e s e c tio n 8 o f th e C rim inal Law (A m endm ent) O rd in a n c e , 1991, re p la c e d s u b s e q u e n tly b y C rim inal Law (A m endm ent) A ct o f 1991.

89.I t now seem s a p p r o p r ia te to q u o te from th e o b s e rv a tio n s o f S h a fi-u r-R a h m a n J . , in F e d e ra tio n o f P a k is ta n V s. Gul H assan K han (PLD 1989 SC 633) a p p e a rin g a t p a g e 684 w hich r e a d s as under

" S e ctio n 133 o f th e E v id en ce A ct a n d S ectio rs 337 to 339 o f th e C ode o f C rim inal P ro c e d u re p r e s c r ib e th e c o n d itio n s a n d th e o ffe n c e s fo r w hich an o ffe n d e r c a n b e made an a p p r o v e r a n d th e e x te n t a n d th e m a n n e r in w hich h is te stim o n y m ay b e u tiliz e d a t th e t r i a l . T h e s itu a tio n s , th e c o n d itio n s , th e o ffe n c e s a n d th e re q u ire m e n ts

:«vM

5X -

ju s tif y in g re c e p tio n o f a p p r o v e r 's te stim o n y a r e all e x c e p tio n a l, b o r d e r in g on n e c e s s ity a n d d em an d s o f p u b lic p o lic y . T h e v a rio u s p ro v is io n s o f th e E v id en ce A ct w ith w hich i t s s e c tio n 133 is to b e r e a d e s ta b lis h t h a t w h ilst i t is n o t ille g a l to a c t u p o n th e u n c o rro b o ­ r a t e d e v id e n c e o f a n accom plice, i t is a ru le o f p ru d e n c e so u n iv e rs a lly follow ed as to am ount alm ost to a ru le o f law th a t i t is u n s a fe to a c t u p o n an e v id e n c e o f a n accom plice u n le s s it is c o rro b o ra te d in m a te ria l r e s p e c ts so a s to im plicate th e a c c u s e d . T he e v id e n c e o f a p p r o v e r w h ere a lo n g w ith o th e r e v id e n c e i s fo u n d to b e s a tis f a c to r y , it sh o u ld b e s u ffic ie n t to c o n v ic t a n d s e n te n c e a n o ff e n d e r u n d e r T a 'z i r , ........... "

90.A s a s te p f u r t h e r to th e a b o v e v iew , M r.J u s tic e D r.N asim th e H asan S h a h J th e n C h airm an , S h a ria t A p p e lla te B en c h o f th e S uprem e C o u rt in F e d e ra tio n o f P a k is ta n V s. P u b lic a t l a r g e (PLD 1991 SC 459 a t 462) o b s e r v e d t h a t :

"In Islam a p e r s o n c a n b e fo rg iv e n fo r h is fa ilu re to p e rfo rm H u q u q -U lla h b u t w ith r e s p e c t to H u q u q - u l- I b a d a p e r s o n m ust e ith e r p e rfo rm it o r o b ta in p e rm issio n o f th e p e r s o n whom h e ow es th e r ig h t s so m uch so t h a t e v e n p r a y e r s c an b e in t e r r u p t e d fo r a tte n d in g to H u q u q - u l- I b a d ."

91.In th e lig h t o f th e a b o v e d is c u s s io n , s e c tio n s 337 a n d 338 o f C rim inal P ro c e d u re C ode ( ^ j l a»>i ih - L i ) 1898 a r e d e c la re d r e p u g n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam a s la id dow n in th e Holy Q u ra n a n d S u n n a h o f th e Holy P r o p h e t( p-L j 4_j-L ) to th e e x te n t th a t no te n d e r in g o f p a rd o n to a n accom plice c a n b e m ade in c a se o f h ad d and o ffe n c e p u n is h a b le w ith / t a 'z i r , w hich r e la te s to Haq a l-A b d ( j —uU I j * )

f—

■d n s * q \

th e r i g h t o f a n in d iv id u a l.

92.To sum u p , th e p ro v is io n s o f A rtic le 16 o f th e Q a n u n -e - Shahadat O r d e r , 1984, is d e c la re d a s r e p u g n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam to th e e x te n t t h a t a n accom plice is n o t a co m p e ten t w itn e ss in o ffe n c e s p u n is h a b le w ith Q is a s , a n d a c o n v ic tio n b a s e d on u n c o rro b o ra te d te stim o n y o f a n accom plice e v e n in th e m a tte r o f t a 'z i r will b e ille g a l.

93.S e c tio n s 337 a n d 338 o f C rim inal P ro c e d u re C o d e, a re d e c la re d r e p u g n a n t to th e In ju n c tio n s o f Islam a s la id dow n in th e Holy Q u ra n a n d S u n n a h o f th e Holy P r o p h e t( |»-L.ji_i_LcjJJI ) to th e e x te n t th a t no te n d e r in g o f p a rd o n to an accom plice c an b e made in c a s e o f o ffe n c e p u n is h a b le w ith h a d d a n d th e o ffe n c e p u n is h a b le w ith t a 'z i r r e la tin g to H aq a l-A b a d ( ) th e r ig h t o f an in d iv id u a l.v

94.‘ T h is d e cisio n will ta k e e ffe c t o n 31st D ecem b er, 1991 w h e re a fte r th e s a id p ro v is io n s o f law will becom e v o id a n d s h a ll be o f n o e ffe c t to th e e x te n t s ta t e d a b o v e .

lA s ( D r.T a n z il-u r -R a h m a n ) 1 C h ief J u s tic e

( D r .F id a M uhammad K han) Ju d g e

(A b d u l R azzaq A . T hahim ) (A b a id U llafT K han) Ju d g e Judge A p p ro v e d f o r r e p o r t i n g .

Isla m a b ad , th e 2 3 rd M ay, 1991.

N a se er

S .P ;N o . 1 7 / 1 / 8 9 S .P .N o . 3 / 1 / 9 0

S.P.NO.2/K/91

N' O T~ E :

A B D UL RAZZAQ A. THAHIM, J .- I have the benefit of pe rusing the well considered judgment in these Shariat Petitions w ri tte n 'hv learned' ’Chief Justice, Mr.Justice D r .T a n z i 1 - u r - R a h m a n . I agree but I would like to make a few observations:

The p r e- c o n d i t i o n for Ap pr o v er is that he should be accomplice but every

A cc omp li ce is not approver. The words ap prover and accomplice are not defined in Pakistan Penal Code, Crimin al Procedure Code or Oa no on - e - Sh a h a da t Order, 1984 nor such definition was given in repealed evidence Act of 1872. I would therefore, examine the m eaning of the words A c com pl ice and Approver.

The Oxford D ic tio na ry defined the Accomplice as "An Asso ci ate in crime or quilt, a partner in crime". Cha mb er' s D i cti on ary defines the wor d as " an a s s o c iate in crime".

In Law of Evidence by Munir, page-1448 (Pakistan E d i t i o n ) , the word Accomplice is defined as "An Ac complice means a guilty a ss oc iat e or partner in crime, a person who is b e l i e v e d to have pa rt ic i pa t e d in the offence, or who, in some way or other, is co n ne c t e d wi t h the o f fen ce in qu es t i o n or who makes admissions of facts showing that he had concious hand in the offence.

The de finition of ap prover in Oxford D ic ti on ar y is "One who prov es or offers to

S .P .N o .3/1/90 - 2- S .P .N o .2/R/91

prove (another) guilty? hence, an informer.

Now restricted to: One who confesses a felony and turns king's (queen's) or state's

evidence. One who tests. One who confirms or commends.

In World Book Dictionary, approver is

defined as "A per so n who approves or

commends. A per so n who proves or offers to p r o v e ."

f '

Therefore, it is n e c e s s a r y that approver in the first instance should be ac complice and after granting pardon under section 337 Cr.P.C. he becomes approver and is to be ex amined as witness under section 337(2) Cr.P.C. in court.

2.A c co m p l ic e is to be tried alongwith co-accused while approver is not to be tried jointly with ac complice but examined as witness and during in ves ti gat io n he is interrogated. Both can make confession. Stat em ent as accused of accomplice is recorded under section 342 C r . D .C. and under section 340(2) Cr.P.C. and can give evidence under section 340(2) Cr.P.C. on oath in di sproof of the charges or allegations made against him and under Article 44 of Oa noo n -e -S h ah a d a t Order, 1984 as such all accused persons, including an accomplice are liable to cr oss -e x am in a t i o n and under Article 43 of Oanoon-e- Shahadat Order, 1984 when more persons than one are being tried jointlv for the same offence, and a confession is made by one of such persons and is proved, the court may take into co ns ideration such confession as c ir cum st ant ia l evidence against such other person. Therefore, confession of ac complice before taking into co ns ideration

L

must be pro ve d for which I refer to Articl es 37, 38 and 39 of Oa no on - e- S h a ha d a t Order, 1984 that confession should be true, volu nt ary and without inducement, threat or promise and notb ef ore Police Officer.

Therefore, if confession of accomplice is not proved in light of above p r o v is i o n s of O a no on -e- Sha had at Order, 1984 it cannot be treated as circumsta nt ial evidence even in cases of TAZIR. The evidence of confession of c o- acc us ed (Accomplice) cannot come under the category of direct eviden ce in light of Article 71 of Oa no on - e - Sh a h a da t Orfer, 1984. I also like to refer to i 1 l u s t r a t i o n s ( b ) of Articie 129 of C a n o o n - e- S h a ha d a t Order, 1984 whereby the evidence of ac complice is unwort hy of credit unless he is co rro b o r a t ed in material particulars, in Islam the a cc om pl ic e is not trus t- wor th y and in this -judgment it has u n an i mo us ly been decided that evidence of such witness is not admissible in cases of Tazir and oisas. In my humble view even in cases of Tazir the evidence of ac complice should be subjected to test of TazJdyah-al-Shahood. The burden of p r o o f under A rt ic le 117 lies on a person who desires any court to give judgment. The proof of evidence to be such which is admissible. The po sition of ap prover is different. He is to be ex amined as witness in the court havi ng taken cognizance of offence. His evidence is to be recorded as a w i tne ss when he is tendered pardon and we in this judgment decided that evidence of approv er 'in cases of Hadd as well as Ta2ir is not a dmi ssi bl e and is against the Injunctions of Islam as laid down in Holy Ouran and Sunnah of Holy Prohoet < (P.B.U.H). As such the evi dence of

approver and ac complice though both are accused in the crime is on diff er ent footing. In Oa no on - e- Sh ah a da t

S . v . N O .17/1/89 S .P .N o . 3 / 1 / 9 0 - £ -

S .P .N o . 2 / K / 9 1

Order, 1984 there is nothinq about the ap prover beinq a competent witness. The evidence of ac complice is not to be recorded as a witness in the court in ac cordance with Articles 133, 134 and 136 of oanoon-e- Shahadat Order, 1984. He is accused and is jointly tried with others for the same offence and his evidence is a dmi ss ib le to the extent of Article 43 and Article 129 of Oa no on - e - S ha h a d at Order, 1984. The approver could be a competent witness because he a witness and examined under section 337(2) Cr.P.C. In my humble view an accomplice is not a competent witness under Article 16 of o a n o o n - e- S h a ha d a t Order, 1984 as his ex ami nation as accused does not fulfil the requirement of witness. Therefore, accomplice w i tho ut being ex amined as w i tne ss in accordance with pr ovisions of Oa noo n -e -S h a h a d at Order, 1984 as in the case of approver, the ac complice can har dl y be c on sid er ed as competent witness. An ap prover is to be ex amined as a witness under section 337(2) Cr.P.C. which reads as under:- "3 3 7 ( 2 ) (A).- Every per so n accepting a tender under this section shall be ex amined as a witness in the subsequent trial if any."

Ap pr o ve r is not be jointlv tried^if his evidence does not satisfy the requirement. I refer to section 339(1) Cr.P.C.

3.There is no pro vi sio n in Criminal Procedure Code that ac complice being jointly tried to be ex am in e d as witness against co -accused when approver is granted par don he is taken out of category of accused for the time beinq and to be ex amined as w i tne ss and could be a competent witness under Article 16 of Oa no on -e -s ha h ad at Order, 1984. The statement of wit ne sse s is to be recorded

* * ^ 'j r * *

No.2/K/91

under section 161 Cr.P.C. and he is suppos ed to be

O.

acquitted with the facts and c ir cum st anc es of the case and such witness is bound to answer all questions other than the ques ti ons which expose him to a criminal charge or to a p e nal ty or forfeiture. Even c on fe ssi on before Police Officer is not admissible.

A cco mp li ce is accused and is required to be arrested under section 54 Cr.P.C. and taken to Ma gistrate under section 60 Cr.P.C. subject to prov is ion of bail and case is to be sent to Ma gistrate under section 170 Cr.

P.C. when evidence is sufficient aL o n g wi t h a report under section 173 Cr.P.C. and co gnizance is taken under section 190 Cr.P.C. or under section 193 Cr.P.C. as the case may be or process is issued on direct complaint or joined as accused by court when name is given in Colu mn N o .2 or otherwise. When in case of approver the District Magistrate, a Sub-Division M ag ist ra te or fc* M agi s t ra te of First Class ntay under section 3 3 7 Cr.

P.C. at any stage of the in ve sti ga tio n or e nq uir y or trial of offence tender a pardon and such per son after accepting pardon is to be/.fc*>i/ad as w i tne ss for all pu rp o se s subject to laid down under sections 338/339 Cr.P.C. The mode of recording evidence of witness has already been discussed b y me. Therefore, a cco mp li ce could only be competent witness in terms of section 16 of Oa no on - e- S h a ha d a t Order, 1984 when he is te ndered pardon and examined as witness oth erw ise his evidence as a cc omp li ce is only ad missible in light to the extent of Article 43 of Oa no on - e - Sh a h a da t O r d e r , 1984 when accomplice has given c on fes si on is subject to Article 129 of Oa no on - e - Rh a h a da t Order, 1994. The ad mi s si bi li t y of evidence of ac complice is ind ependently given in Articles 43 and 129 of Oanoon-e- Sh aha dat Order, 1984 when there is no specific prov isi on for -

Vs S .P .N o .2/K/91

c ons id era ti on of evidence of approver.

4.In the leading judgment written by learned Chief Justice, M r. Jus ti ce D r .T a n z i 1 - u r - R a h m a n , and concurred by all of us it is decided that a conviction based on u nc o r ro b o r at e d tes ti mon y of ac complice even in mat ter of Tazir will be illegal but in Tazir evidence of ac complice could be considered. In case of (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinances, 1979 specially.in cases of TAZIR severe p u n is h m e nt a arerprovided. Under section 10(2) of the Ordinance accused could be p u n i s h e d with R.I. for a term which may extend to ten years and 30 stripes, under section 10(3) of the Ordi na nce upto 25 (T w e n t y - f i v e ) years wi t h thirty stripes and under section 11 of the Ordinance, the p un ish me nt is impr iso nm ent of life with wh ip p i ng and fine, like-wise in P ro hi bi tio n Hadd Order, 1979,' the Offences Against Property (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 severe punishm ent s upto impr is onm en t of life are provided.

Moreover, acc or din g to Hanafis and Malikis a Legislator/ Oazi is a uth ori se d to give p u nis hm ent in Tazir more than Hadd if he deems it ne c e s sa r y in the circumstances of a p a r ti cu l a r case. (Sharah Fath. Al -O a d ir by Ibn -Humam, Vol.V, pages 115 to 116). Therefore, while considering evidence of ac complice in cases of Tazir the conditions of competencv and standard with regard to such person is the same and while p a rt i c i p a t i n g in crime he is not 'Adil' (Just) but is Fasiq ( ) . I like to refer following Hadith:-

" It has been related that a man came to Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) and stated that he has comm it ted adultery with a woman and he named her. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) called the woman and she denied to have committed ad ul t e ry with that man. The Prophet (P.B.U.H)

' -kJ / I

V

.T?7m o . 1 7 / 1 / 8 9 S . P . N o . 3/1/90 S . P . N o . 2 / K /9i \^v

imposed Hadd on the man and released the woman (Abdu Daud, Vol.II, page 282, p r int ed Beirut)."

From this Hadith it is clear that Hadd was imposed on man on his own co nfession but woman was released and confession of A c com pl ice (co-accused) was not found sufficient to impose Hadd on woman and even punishment for Tazir was not awarded. A number of Verses from Holy Quran have been referred in leading judgment with regard to the standard, qualitv, the c om pet en cy of witness in Islam, therefore, the evidence of accomplice in cases of Tazir be also co nsidered in light of Injunctions of Islam as laid down in Holy Quran and H a di t h and Judae while conside ri ng evidence of accomplice in cases of Tazir should seek guidance from the Verses of Holy Quran and Hadith. The evidence of accomplice to the extent of circumst an tia l evidence corr ob ora ted in ma terial particu la rs should also be subjected to ve rif i ca ti o n for which I refer the following Verse of Holv Ouran--

"O ye who believe' If a wic ke d person comes To you with any n e w s , ascertain the truth, lest Ye harm peop le unwittinglv, And afterwards become Full of repentance for Wha t ye have done." (49:6)

Moreover, the Holy Ouran has co nd itioned Adalat (probity) for the witness. Ouran says:-

"And take for witness Two persons from among you Endue d with justice." (65:2)

( ABDUL RAZ ZAO A. THAH IM )

App ro v e d for reporting. Judge

REGISTERED

1.Federation of Pakistan through Secretary M/O Law, (in Sh.R.P.2 & 4/94) Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, Islamabad.

2.Federation of Pakistan through Secretary M/O Law, (in Sh.R.P.03/1994) Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, Islamabad & another.

Versus.

1.Muhammad Shafi Muhammad and another.(Res.in Sh.R.P.02/94) 2.Haider Hussain. (Res.in Sh.R.P.03/94) 3.Syed I$fam-ud-Din. (Res.in Sh.R.P.04/94)

On review o f the Judgment and order o f this Court dt.22-06-19f$ in ShariaLA. Nos.14-16/1991 file d against the judgm ent and order o f the Federal Shariat Court , Islamabad dt.23-05-1991 in Sh.P.No.2-K/89, Sh.P.17/I/89 Sh.P.3- Dear Sir, /rffic&Aj A # ■ In continuation of this Court’s letter No. Sh. 14-16/1991 -SCJ dt.04.08.1993,1 am directed toenclose a certified copy o f the order o f the Supreme Court dated 04-10-2004 dismissing for non-prosecution as'ifiafred by time the above cited Sh. review petitions.

Please acknowledge the receipt of this letter alongwith its enclosure within 10 days.

Yours Faithfully

(MUHAMMAD ASLAM)

ASSISTANT REGISTRAR(IMP)

FOR REGISTRAR

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN

(S h ariat A ppellate Ju risd ictio n )

PRESENT:

M r.Ju stice A bdul H am eed D ogar M r.Ju stice M u h am m ad N aw az A bbasi M r.Ju stice M ian S h a k iru lla h J a n M r.Ju stice D r.A llam a K haiid M ahm ood M r.Ju stic e D r.R ashid A hm ed J u llu n d h a ri S h a ria t R ev iew P e titio n N os.2 to 4 o f 1 9 9 4 (On review from th e ju d g m e n t d a te d 2 2 .6 .1 9 9 3 of th is C o u rt p a s s e d in S h a ria t A ppeal N o s.14-16 of 1991) F ed eratio li of P a k ista n ... P etitioner V ersu s

M u h a m m a d S hafi M uham m adi H aider H u ssa in Syed Islam u d Din ... R e sp o n d en ts

For th e p e titio n e r : Nemo

For th e re sp o n d e n t No re p re se n te d D ate of h e a rin g 0 4 .1 0 .2 0 0 4

ORDER

None has e n te re d a p p e a ra n c e on b eh a lf of p etitio n er. M oreover, th e se p etitio n s a re b a rre d by 412 days and no convincing ex p lan atio n has been fu rn ish e d for co n d o n atio n of delay. Accordingly, th e se p etitio n s are d ism isse d for n o n -p ro secu tio n .isi w e ll as b e ia g by bL®e.

Am ,J 5 r Ji ' f't

! : ' ’U/ v ■A stf.

Islam ab ad :

;0 4 :TO. 2004

Supreme Court of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD