Germany, UK & EU support Pakistan in strengthening the rule of law

LAHORE — The German Ambassador, Ina Lepel, the British High Commissioner, Philip Barton, and the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Ambassador Jean-François Cautain, together with the Chief Guest MPA Jahangir Khanzada inaugurated a state-of-the-art crime scene training room and two auditoria at the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) on 14 December 2015.

The contributions to the PFSA are part of Germany’s, the United Kingdom’s and the European Union’s efforts to support Pakistan in strengthening the rule of law. Specifically, the cooperation with the PFSA is aimed at enhancing criminal investigation based on lawfully collected and preserved evidence.

The crime scene training room was financed by Germany and implemented by its development implementation agency GIZ under the project “Support for Capacity Development in the Criminal Investigative Services in Pakistan” (CIS). The two auditoria have been refurbished under the United Kingdom’s Counter Terrorism and Associated Prosecutorial Reform Initiative (CAPRI), which has also received financing from the European Union.

At the inauguration German Ambassador Lepel reiterated that “Strengthening the rule of law across the country is one of the crucial factors for long-term development in Pakistan.”

Ambassador Madam Lepel assred that Germany would remain committed to offer its resources and expertise to support Pakistan’s police and prosecution services in their efforts in this regard.”

Recalling German contribution, the German Ambassador added that the establishment of Punjab Forensic Science Agency highlights the close and effective cooperation both between Germany and Pakistan and amongst the international donors in the area of rule of law.

The Ambassador expressed hope that “together, we hope to make a real difference for the benefit of all citizens.”

Speaking on the occasion the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Ambassador Jean-François Cautain also assured that EU was committed in supporting the functioning of the Rule of Law in Punjab”.

He expressed hope that the  Agency would emerged as “one of the most important elements contributing at building  trust in the judiciary process among Pakistani citizens.”

The PFSA was established in 2011 at a cost of PKR 2.5 billion under the direct patronage of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and serves as a fully operational lab and a teaching facility for scientists, technicians and law enforcement personnel.

Lahore-based Criminal Investigative Services in Pakistan is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and a two-year programme (2015-2016) with a budget of €4.7 million.