LAHORE: The Punjab government has abolished six anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) in the province on the directions of the Supreme Court and the Lahore High Court due to almost zero pendency of terrorism-related cases. The de-notified courts included two each in Lahore and Gujranwala and one each in Multan and Rawalpindi.

A notification issued on September 18 by the additional chief secretary (Home) states, "Governor of Punjab is pleased to de-notify the following Anti-Terrorism Courts in the Punjab with immediate effect."

The employees and resources of the de-notified ATCs shall be placed at the disposal of the Home department for their further adjustment in the newly established ATC in Sargodha and in any other department.

An official said Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik of the SC being a monitoring judge of the ATCs in the country had taken notice of almost zero pendency of terrorism related cases before several ATCs in the Punjab province.

The Home department's officials presented fresh reports on disposal and pendency of the cases before the ATCs in a meeting headed by Justice Mansoor at the Lahore registry to review performance of the ATCs in the province.

The meeting also reviewed performance of Punjab Forensic Science Agency, Prisons, Home and Prosecution departments.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020