Inside Story

Pakistani justice: A dysfunctional system?

Controversy over nine-month-old baby charged with attempted murder brings criminal justice system into question.

An unusual case of a nine-month-old baby charged with attempted murder is causing controversy in Pakistan.

The family of the baby, Muhammed Musa Khan, say they were forced to take him into hiding after coming from intense police pressure.

The baby was charged last week in Lahore along with his father, grandfather and many others; after protesters in their community reportedly threw stones at police who accompanied gas company workers trying to collect overdue bills.

The case has drawn remarkable attention from Pakistani and international media because of the absurdity of the charge.

So, does Pakistan’s criminal judicial system need urgent reforms?

Presenter: Hazem Sika

Guests: Faisal Sabzwari – leader of the Muttahida Quami Movement.

Senator Tariq Azeem – media adviser to the Pakistan Muslim League Party, party of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Ahmad Raza Qasuri – lawyer and legal advisor to former President Pervez Musharraf. Mr Qasuri is also one of the founding fathers of the 1973 Pakistan constitution.