KARACHI, Feb 7: The Sindh High Court Bar Association slammed on Thursday the government’s decision to induct serving military officers into the restructured Anti-terrorism Courts, and demanded its withdrawal.

Through an amendment to the Anti-terrorism Act (ATA) Ordinance, 2002, the government has provided for three-member anti-terrorism courts in country.

In a resolution adopted at a meeting presided over by the SHCBA president, Abul Inam, it demanded withdrawal of the said Ordinance and in particular amendment to section 14 of the Act XXVII of 1997.

The SHCBA observed that the ordinance was also in direct conflict with the judgments of the apex court in the case of Shaikh Liaquat Husain and Mehram Ali, and certainly in excess of the extra-constitutional departure condoned by the Supreme Court in the Zafar Ali Shah case.

The SHCBA also resolved to continue struggle and launch movement in consultation with the elected representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council, Supreme Court Bar Association, provincial bar councils, high court bar association and other bar associations in the country.

It resolved that the government should act with restraint from exercising self-assumed authority.