The country is entering on a transformative journey as the government moves to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1898 — a colonial-era legislation that has regulated criminal proceedings for over a century. This dated code was enacted in 1898 during the colonial period ignoring the essential and fundamental rights and protection of people. In such a long gap the society has undergone a radical change. The code, therefore deserved a major overhaul much earlier particularly in some sections. We, therefore, hail the move taken by the government.
But it is premature to comment about it now because only the draft amendment to the code has been prepared and it will pass through some procedures. The Law Adviser said, “we have drafted an amendment to CrPc to ensure rightbased approach and strict safeguards during arrest and interrogation. It will be cleared very soon.” As exposed by Law Adviser, the amendment aspires to ensure a rights-based approach and introduce strict safeguards during arrests and interrogations. This reform is not merely official; it is opening to building a fair, answerable and representative society.
Law Adviser’s importance on safeguarding individual rights during police procedures is laudable. If executed with effectiveness, the amended CrPC could offer significant protection against abuse of power, ensure due process and build public trust in the criminal justice system. In a country where legal remedy is often delayed or denied, this marks a step towards meaningful answerability.
The country’s legal reform efforts must be sustained and
deepened. The CrPC
amendment, alongside widespread legal changes,
signals a positive shift — one that could
redefine justice delivery for generations
This move is part of a widespread reform agenda aimed at modernising the country’s legal infrastructure. The government has already amended the Code of Civil Procedure to accelerate litigation, diminish legal cost and improve access to justice. Furthermore, the judiciary is undergoing digitalisation, a development that, if accomplished in the promised timeframe, could diminish case backlogs, enhance efficiency and promote transparency.
One of the most substantial changes, however, is the revision of the controversial CyberSecurity Act. Before being criticised for boiling free speech, the fresh ordinance was drafted through an intensive, consultative process involving 23 revisions.
According to the Law Adviser, even organisations such as Amnesty International have acknowledged improvement in the final version. Although public scrutiny is still crucial, this shows a unique willingness to listen, engage and adapt — a practice all as well absent in previous governance.
Significantly, these reforms are guided by the values of the Commonwealth Charter: human dignity, democracy, rule of law, gender parity and freedom of expression. These are not rhetorical flourishes — they are benchmarks of accountable governance. This is certainly a bold reform drive aligned with the commonwealth Charter core values. Adopted in 2013, the Commonwealth Charter sets out the social, political, economic and environmental values and principles agreed by all member countries.
However, legislative reform is only one part of the balance. Execution is the true test. It needs administrative will, judicial independence and institutional answerability. Without these, the most progressive laws risk becoming mere symbolic signs. The country’s legal reform efforts must be sustained and deepened. The CrPC amendment, alongside widespread legal changes, signals a positive shift — one that could redefine justice delivery for generations. The time to act is now, with uprightness and unwavering respect for human dignity.
