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ACT IV OF 2016 ACT IV OF 2016 BALOCHISTAN WITNESS PROTECTION ACT, 2016 An Act to provide for protection of witnesses to enable them to give evidence in criminal proceedings in the Province of Balochistan [Gazette of Balochistan Extraordinary, 5th April, 2016] No. PAB/Legis:V(25)/2016, dated 5.4.2016.---The Balochistan Witness Protection Bill, 2015 (Bill No 25 of 2015) having been passed by the Provincial Assembly of Balochistan on 26th March 2016 and assented by the Governor, Balochistan on 29th March 2016 is hereby published as an Act of the Balochistan Provincial Assembly. Preamble.---WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for protection of witnesses to enable them to give evidence in criminal proceedings in the Province of Balochistan and for matters ancillary thereto; It is hereby enacted as follows: 16. Court Orders Protecting Witnesses From Identification.---(1) For the purposes of this Act, the Unit may apply to the Court for an order authorizing a specified person or class of persons (a) to make a new entry in the register of births, register of deaths or register of marriages in respect of a witness; (b) to issue in the witness s new identity a document of a kind previously issued to the witness. (2) The Court may, if it is satisfied that the life or safety of that person may be endangered by virtue of the person being a witness, make a witness protection order. (3) Any proceedings of the Court under this section shall be conducted in camera, and all records of the proceedings shall be sealed. (4) While making of a witness protection order under subsection (2), any person authorized to do so by the order may make such entries in the register of births, register of deaths or register of marriages as are necessary to give effect to the order. (5) An entry made in the register of births, register of deaths or register of marriages shall have effect as if it were a valid entry made under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Act.