A consultative meeting with Gujranwala Press Club and representatives of media was organized on Wednesday, January 29, 2014, as part of CRSS-GIZ Support to Punjab Prosecution Service (SPPS) advocacy campaign.

The objective of the meeting was to ascertain: the position of media persons vis-a-vis their priorities in covering particular issues pertaining to the prosecution service; sensitise reporters and journalists on the need for an independent public prosecution service; and solicit recommendations and suggestions.

The consensus that emerged during the discussion was that an independently-working prosecution service free of economic and political pressures was essential for speedy trial of the cases and dispensation of justice. The participants stressed the need for training of reporters, putting in place a mechanism of accountability in prosecution service to regularly monitor the performance of the prosecutors, reforms in judicial system with amendments in existing laws to make the change visible. The reporters pointed out various issues they faced while reporting proceedings of the cases.

The participants suggested that a detailed analysis followed by reforms at all levels of the prosecution service would help bring a change and improve the existing system to ensure that no criminal went unpunished and no innocent person was punished.

They highlighted the role of media in pointing out serious crimes and flaws in the system and noted that it was because of the role of media that a majority of people got justice. They agreed that the role of media was of central importance to inform and educate people to sensitize them on such issues.