156. Testimony to facts stated in document mentioned in Article 155. A witness may also
testify to facts mentioned in any such document as is mentioned in Article 155, although he has no
specific recollection of the facts themselves, if he is sure that the facts were correctly recorded in the
document.
Illustration
A bookkeeper may testify to facts recorded by him in books regularly kept in the course of
business, if he knows that the books were correctly kept, although he has forgotten the particular
transactions entered.
157. Right of adverse party as to writing used to refresh memory. Any writing referred to
under the provisions of the two last preceding Articles must be produced and shown to the adverse
party if he requires it, such party may, if he pleases, crossexamine the witness thereupon.
158. Production of documents.__ (1) A witness summoned to produce a document shall, if it is in
his possession or power, bring it to Court, notwithstanding any objection which there may be to its
production or to its admissibility. The validity of any objection shall be decided on by the Court.
(2) The court, if it sees fit, may Inspect the document, unless it refers to matters of State, or take
other evidence to enable it to determine on its admissibility.
(3) If for such a purpose it is necessary to cause any document to be translated, the Court may, if
it thinks fit, direct the translator to keep the contents secret, unless the document is to be given in
evidence; and, if the translator disobeys such direction, he shall be held to have committed an offence
under section 166 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860).
159. Giving, as evidence, of document called for and produced on notice. When a party calls
for a document which he has given the other party notice to produce, and such document is produced
and inspected by the party calling for its production, he is bound to give it as evidence if the party
producing it requires him to do so.
160. Using, as evidence, of document production of which was refused on notice. When a
party refuses to produce a document which he has had notice to produce, he cannot afterwards use
the document as evidence without the consent of the other party or the order of the Court.
Illustration
A sues B on an agreement and gives B notice to produce it. At the trial A calls for the document
and B refuses to produce it. A gives secondary evidence of its contents. B seeks to produce the
document itself to contradict the secondary evidence given by A, or in order to show that the
agreement is not stamped. He cannot do so.
161. Judge's power to put questions or order production. The Judge may, in order to discover
or to obtain proper proof of relevant facts, ask any question he pleases, in any form, at any time, of
any witness, or of the parties about any fact relevant or irrelevant; and may order the production of
any document or thing; and neither the parties nor their agents shall be entitled to make any objection
to any such question or order, nor, without the leave of the Court, to crossexamine any witness upon
any answer given in reply to any such question:
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