ATC bans video recording of trials

RAWALPINDI:

The Special Anti-Terrorism Court has banned lawyers, journalists and You Tubers from carrying mobile phones and secretly making videos inside the court premises, the main entrance gate and the court room during hearings.

The court has declared that as it is on the terrorist's hit list for hearing sensitive and serious cases, recording of court proceedings can threaten the safety of the judges, court staff, witnesses, plaintiffs and lawyers.

The court has issued a warning that legal action will be taken under Section 21 of the Terrorism Act 1997 against anyone found making videos, bringing mobile phones into the court room or even on the premises of the court.

The court has ordered to collect mobile phones from all the accused, lawyers and clerks before they are allowed to enter the court.

This notice has also been pasted in Urdu and English at the main entrance of the court.

The notice states that the Anti-Terrorism Court hears the cases of terrorists, accused of banned organisations and other serious cases, all of which have right to in-camera trials away from public view. All lawyers, defendants, witnesses and journalists coming to the Anti-Terrorism Court are bound to follow this ban.