Punjab Witness Protection Act, 2018 (Pakistan)

The Punjab Witness Protect Act 2018 establishes the Witness Protection Board, and Witness Protection Units I and II relating to offenses of terrorism and serious offenses, respectively. The Act provides that a victim of any other person connected with a criminal proceeding, and a person closely related to the said persons may apply for protection under it. A witness, other than the accused, is eligible for assistance in connection with his testimony before a court in a terrorism case or a serious criminal case under a direction for special measures when he is willing to give evidence but is fearful or under stress owing to the nature of the offense or proceedings, or is intimidated or labors under an intimidation of harm coming to his person, family or property if he gives evidence and the court is satisfied that the quality of evidence is likely to be affected on that account; suffers from physical disability or mental disorder; under the age of 16; or a victim of a sexual offense. Moreover, an accused in such cases cannot cross-examine the witness protected under this Act, and may only do so by counsel.