CM Sindh Approves Recruitment Of 25 Prosecutors For 7 New ATCs

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd August, 2016) : Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the Law department to appoint 25 special prosecutor on urgent basis so that newly established Anti-Terrorism Courts can start functioning. "This cannot be delayed any more - efficient prosecution in ATC cases is badly needed as backlog of the cases is on the rise and this is against the spirit of National Action Plan." This he said while presiding over an special meeting to review implement of the decisions taken in last Apex Committee meeting here at the CM House, said a statement on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to CM on Law and Anti-Corruption Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, Principal Secretary Alamuddin Bullo, Secretary Home Riaz Soomro and Secretary Law. The CM Sindh said that in the last Apex Committee meeting the issues of establishment of new Anti-Terrorism Courts and appointment of 200 more prosecutors taken.

What is the status of the decision, he asked the Chief Secretary. The CS Sindh said that there are 19 ATCs , including 10 in Karachi and nine in other districts, are working in the province.

The Apex committee had decided to establish 11 more courts, of them seven would start functioning from next month (September 2016). Therefore, appointment of special prosecutors was very necessary. Advisor to Chief Minister Murtaza Wahab said that requisition for the appointment of 200 special public prosecutors for prosecution and Investigation has been sent to Sindh Public Service Commission but it was taking time.

On this the Chief Minister said that around 4500 cases are under trial/pending in ACT courts. "Therefore, we cannot wait for SPSC," he said and directed the Chief Secretary to appoint 25 prosecutors on a six months contract on emergency basis and then refer them to SPSC. This is the only option we have to functionalize the to start newly established seven ATCs. Secretary Home Riaz Hussain Soomro told the chief minister that new seven ATC courts have notified.

Out of seven courts six would work in Karachi and one in Ghotki. The remaining four ATCs would be established in February 2017. The CM Sindh directed Chief Secretary to notify a committee to select 25 prosecutors purely on merit. "I would suggest you to form the committee under law secretary with principal SM Law College, additional home secretary and a representative of prosecutor general of B-19 grade as member. He also directed the chief secretary too offer Rs 100,000 salary and those who would not perform well would be removed. "But you (CS) have to follow the SPSC to expedite the selection of 200 prosecutors," the CM Sindh said. Syed Murad Ali Shah made it clear that the decisions taken in the Apex Committee meeting must be implemented in true letter and spirit. "I would keep them reviewing from time to time, " he said.