Looking to hire: Sindh govt to recruit 25 prosecutors for seven new ATCs

Around 4,500 cases are being tried in courts, says CM

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the law department to appoint 25 special prosecutors urgently so that newly established anti-terrorism courts (ATC) can start functioning.

"This cannot be delayed any more as efficient prosecution in ATCs cases is needed as the backlogging of the cases is on the rise and this is against the spirit of National Action Plan," he said. He was presiding over a special meeting at CM House on Wednesday to review the implementation of the decisions taken in last apex committee meeting here at CM House today.

The CM asked Sindh chief secretary Siddique Memon about the progress on establishing new ATCs in the province, as discussed in the last apex committee meeting. Memon informed him that currently there are 19 ATCs in the province, out of which 10 are in Karachi. The apex committee had decided to establish 11 more courts, of them seven would start functioning from next month. Therefore, appointment of special prosecutors was very necessary, Memon added.



The requisition for the appointment of 200 special public prosecutors has been sent to Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) but it was taking time, said adviser to chief minister Murtaza Wahab.

On this the CM remarked that around 4,500 cases are under trial or pending in ATCs. "Therefore, we cannot wait for SPSC," he said and directed the chief secretary to appoint 25 prosecutors on a six-month contract and then refer them to SPSC. "This is the only option we have in order for the newly established seven ATCs to start functioning."

Out of these seven courts six will function in Karachi and one in Ghotki, informed home secretary Riaz Hussain Soomro. The remaining four ATCs will be established by February, 2017, he added.

The CM directed chief secretary to form a committee to select 25 prosecutors purely on merit. "I will suggest you to form the committee comprising law secretary with principal of SM Law College, additional home secretary and a representative of prosecutor general of B-19 grade as members."

He also directed the chief secretary too offer Rs100,000 salary to the prosecutors and those who fail to perform well will be removed. "But you [chief secretary] have to follow the SPSC to expedite the selection of 200 prosecutors," said the CM. Shah made it clear that the decisions taken in the apex committee meeting will be implemented in true letter and spirit. "I would keep reviewing them from time to time," he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2016.