Punjab govt closes six anti-terrorism courts

With a significant drop in terrorism cases, the Punjab government has decided to close down six anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) across the province.

The provincial law ministry has forwarded the summary to close selected ATCs to the competent authority, sources told The Express Tribune.

As of now, there are total 17 ATCs in Punjab. However, if the provincial cabinet approves the suggestion, the number would be reduced to 11.

As per proposal, one ATC court each in Rawalpindi and Multan should be shut down, besides two each in Lahore and Gujranwala. In line with this, the process of appointing new judges for ATCs has been stopped too.

Sources said the judges posted in ATCs would be transferred to accountability and other district courts.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2020.