It is disappointing that a Pakistani trial court has dismissed the Union Government’s petition seeking voice samples of 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman lakhvi and six other suspects in the case. Earlier in 2011 and 2015, the issue of obtaining voice samples of lakhvi had been dismissed by the trial court on the grounds that “no such law exists that allows obtaining of voice sample of an accused”. But, is there any law that forbids voice samplesIJ If so, it needs to be scrapped forthwith.
In times when terrorists use advanced communication technologies, cellphone conversations between the members of the terrorist groups intercepted by the intelligence agencies can provide vital evidence. Pakistan is under heavy pressure from India and the US to take action against the terrorist groups operating from Pakistani soil in general and against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack in particular. Pakistani courts should keep pace with time and not become an obstacle in fighting terrorism.