Chief Justice unhappy over ATCs performance

The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, while expressing dissatisfaction on the performance of special Anti Terrorism Courts, has called the lists indicating details of all anti terrorism cases pending for investigation and the cases pending with the special courts.
The Chief Justice also directed Inspector General of Police to ensure that cases are properly investigated and challans are timely submitted.
The Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry chaired a meeting held to monitor the working of the special courts, here on Saturday.
He directed the judges of the High Courts responsible for monitoring the working of the special courts to hold meetings with judges of special courts, and thereafter the inspector generals of police, chief secretary, home secretary, law secretary and finance secretary of the provinces must remove the impediments in the way of smooth working of such courts so as to expedite the disposal of cases.
The Chief Justices of the respective high courts have also been directed to take urgent steps in co-ordination with the provincial governments to fill in the vacant posts of judges of the special courts in their respective provinces.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan asked the provincial governments to ensure the provision of adequate funds for engaging defence lawyers, where needed, to facilitate quick disposal of cases. Furthermore, arrangements must be made to provide security to judges, advocates and witnesses appearing before special courts.
The Chief Justice observed that if the provincial government so require could approach the federal government for provision of more funds. He held that there is a need for strict compliance of the aim and objectives of Anti Terrorism Act, 1997 which fixed time limit for decision in cases referred to it.
The Chief Justice further observed that it is in the national interest that such cases are quickly decided so as to punish the culprits and release an accused person, if found innocent.
He hoped that the judges nominated to monitor the working of the special courts will closely watch the working of such courts to ensure early disposal of cases and also the performance of related agencies such as the police and prosecution agencies to ensure that cases are properly investigated and challans are timely submitted and witnesses are produced.
The meeting was attended by judges of Supreme Court including Justice Rana Bhagwandas, Justice Javed Iqbal and Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, and Justice Mian Muhammad Najam-uz-Zaman of Lahore High Court, Justice Rehmat Hussain Jafferi of Sindh High Court, Justice Muhammad Nadir Khan of Balochistan High Court, Justice Ijazul Hassan Khan of Peshawar High Court, and registrar of the august court Dr Faqir Hussain.