ANSWER. 1: Should Employers In Pakistan Be Obligated To Recruit An Ex- Convict? In Pakistan, employers struggling with the lack of job applicants all too often ignore entire segments of our population as pools of potential applicants. Among them are people convicted of crimes who are returning to society following stints in prison. However, there is evidence they can provide real value to employers and be accepted by the other employees they work with. The obvious question is should employers in Pakistan be obligated to recruit an ex- offenders. Research seems to say the answer is yes, and they will be able to fit in with other members of your workforce. Job boards and employers should highlight and discuss the applicant’s background and record rather than simply reject them because of it. Because, when companies and society don’t give people second chances, they will be forced to go back to a life of crime to survive. Giving a chance to someone who has made a mistake, paid for it, and now wants to turn his/her life around starts with a job. The real question for employers willing to take the chance is how to evaluate and select these candidates. Among managers and HR professionals alike, a demonstrated consistent work history, references, job training, and a certification of rehabilitation were the leading factors establishing their willingness to hire a worker with a criminal record, according to research conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). If individuals with a criminal record can be considered for employment based on their talent and skills, the benefits for the business—and society—are far-reaching. HR professionals are well positioned to provide counsel and generate a tailored set of best- practice principles that will benefit both the business and the individuals seeking a second chance. ANSWER. 02: Letter of advice: Dear Mr. Gul, I hope you’ve been well. Recently you wrote to me that you had been facing the charges of alleged abduction, forced conversion of religion and rape of victim, "ARZOO MASEEH" aged 15. As you’ve described it, that the judge directed the court office to issue bailable warrants for the arrest of five suspects in this case and you are one of them including the Mufti Sahab (who allegedly performed the marriage of the girl when she was a teenager). Specifically, you have asked for advice on the question that which sections will be applicable and whether you should plead guilty in the court or not. Under these facts, a court would likely apply the well-settled law that under the Sindh Child Marriages Restraint Act, 2013, the marriage of either party who is less than 18 years old is prohibited. The sections applied to this case can likely be Sections 365-B (kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel for marriage etc.), 376 (punishment for rape), 342 (punishment for wrongful confinement), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code. To sum up, based on the facts as I have recited them in this letter, I would recommend that you should plead guilty in the court. Pleading guilty allows you to resolve a case more quickly and avoid the uncertainty of a trial. Juries can be unpredictable and more evidence may be uncovered by the prosecution. Trials can be very expensive. If you plead guilty to a crime you will be required to serve minimum sentence. I hope this is helpful, and would be happy to discuss this matter with you further. Please feel free to call my office if you have questions, or would like to meet. Very truly yours, Ibadullah Shah
ANSWER: 03: Conversation Of The Case Proceeding Between A Judge
And The Two Lawyers, In The Court Room: Lawyer 1: We have a matter lined up for the domestic violence and workplace harassment case. Judge: Yes go ahead. Present your case. Lawyer 1: My client has been accused of charges of domestic violence against his maid and workplace harassment towards female co-workers. But he has been wrongly accused. He is innocent. Judge: Well that I will decide that. To arrive at an impartial judgment, I need to hear facts of the case from both the parties. Lawyer 1: Sure. But before we proceed I would like to request you to move the date for the hearing to next week as I have another case at the Supreme Court. Judge: For that you need to submit a written request to me and to the opponent’s lawyer. Lawyer 1: Sure my lord. I have already dispatched one copy to the concerned entity. Judge: After receiving the approval from the plaintiff’s lawyer I will be decide upon the next date of hearing. Lawyer 1: Thank you my lord for your consideration. Judge: Does the plaintiff’s lawyer have something to say on the behalf of the suspect? Lawyer 2: Yes my lord. This person has continuously harassed my client since the very next day of her joining as a co-worker in the same office. He also physically assaulted the housemaid works in his house. Lawyer 1: I object my lord. This was just a misunderstanding. Lawyer 2: With this simple misunderstanding she got seriously injured. Isn’t that shockingly astonishing? Lawyer 1: No! That’s absolutely not true. Lawyer 2: Oh please! Your client is an unruly man and he belongs in prison. Judge: Order! Order! Both the lawyers settle down and maintain the decorum of court. I would hear arguments from both the sides in next hearing. By that time court is adjourned.