Application of Criminological Theories in Combating of Juvenile Delinquency in Pakistan

Abstract

Juvenile delinquency is a long standing social and legal challenge in Pakistan, arising from a variety of socio-economic and cultural factors that shape the lives of juvenile delinquents. Although Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018, which is in force in Pakistan regarding juvenile delinquencies that deal with juvenile delinquents, before that Juvenile justice system was dealt with Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, 2000. These Laws aim to protect Juveniles by ensuring fair trails, humane treatment, rehabilitation, and banning torture and Handcuffing. Despite its enactment, it was not implemented and remained largely symbolic. The issue of age determination of Juvenile delinquents in the Juvenile Justice System continues to be a problem that has not clearly resolved up till now. It also discusses the judicial interpretations that structured the juvenile justice system in Pakistan together with its flaws and application challenges. In this article framework established for delivering Juvenile justice in Pakistan has also been compared with other countries which also emphasize rehabilitation and Judicial supervision rather than punishment. To overcome this problem application of different key criminological theories regarding juvenile delinquency are discussed in this article which gives a systematic and functional solutions, understanding the causes to juvenile delinquents. Paying intention to these criminological theories their implementation shifts from punishment to rehabilitation and prevention of Juvenile delinquents by the cooperation of community, education and family support.