An Analysis of the Rights of Victims in the Context of Criminal Justice System of Pakistan

Abstract

The study aims to scrutinize the rights of victims within Pakistan's criminal justice system. It is an entity separate from the constitutional promises, although it is an establishment that assures all individuals equality and justice as a right. This research proposes to evaluate lacunas and their causes, with particular reference to cases falling within the ambit of victim’s rights using doctrinal legal analysis in combination with the IRAC method. Framework is based on constitutional provisions that affirm justice for victims, but it also contrasts this ideal with how the criminal justice system actually works in practice. It focuses not only on legal doctrines and statutes like Pakistan Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code but also draws upon case law to conduct an analysis of the rights of victims as well as the inherent systemic bias favoring those accused individuals` study uses doctrinal legal research, which is systematically done through IRAC method that reviews statutes, research articles, and pertinent books alongside case studies to appraise the sufficiency of the legal framework in protecting victim rights. The Lack of satisfactory victim commitment is also documented whereby some are reduced to mere witnesses amid continued emphasis on accused’s rights. The discussion seeks to reveal the flaws in the police work, judicial system, and culture that continue to neglect people who suffered. This research therefore calls for radical transformation as far as the criminal justice system of the people of Pakistan is concerned to places victims’ rights at the apex, strengthen legal remedies and guarantee equal justice. Thus, this paper synthesizes doctrinal legal research with the practical application of the IRAC method to offer a rich study of the victim’s marginalization within the legal framework of Pakistan. It provides fresh findings related to the nature of the legislative-practical divergence and specific suggestions on how to enhance parity and equity for victims that enhance the information base for analyzing and improving criminal justice in Pakistan.