KARACHI, Aug 24: The jail trial of four workers of the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi did not begin on Saturday as the arrangements required by the anti-terrorism court were not made by the home department.

Judge Khan Pervaiz Chang of the ATC-4, who had directed the home department to make special security arrangements and provide vehicles for the court staff, fixed 27th for formal hearing of 12 cases, assigned to him for trial.

Observing that “no special arrangement was made, nor was received any intimation in this regard,” the judge also ordered its office to issue a reminder to the home secretary.

“It is necessary to mention here that there is only one courtroom in the Central Prison, Karachi, where the presiding officer of the ATC-1 is conducting the trial of the case. In view of above position, there is no alternative but to adjourn the case”, the judge observed in the daily diary of the cases.

The court had on Aug 21 asked the home department through a letter to provide transport for the court staff and make special security arrangements “keeping in view the nature of the cases and the law and order situation in the city”.