PESHAWAR, Nov 11: Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Saturday stressed the need for early disposal of pending cases in anti-terrorism courts (ATC) to eradicate heinous crimes from the society.

“In the current scenario, critical responsibilities lay on the judges of the anti-terrorism courts and law-enforcement agencies for early dispensation of justice,” the chief justice said while presiding over a high-level meeting on the monitoring and functioning of the ATCs here at the Supreme Court's branch registry.

Justice Chaudhry emphasised the need for vesting the chief justices of the respective high courts with the administrative powers including posting and transfer of ATC judges for smooth running of the system.

He urged the chief justices of the respective high courts to ensure that the judges of ATCs serve with honesty, integrity and dedication to avoid unnecessary adjournments. He also underscored the need for increasing the judges in the ATCs to address the issue of pending cases.

Responding to a point raised about professional competence of public prosecutors, the chief justice observed that such appointments may be made through the Public Service Commission so as to induct talented and capable professionals strictly on merit and they should also be given better remunerations to achieve the desired results. "Better prosecution along with sound investigation is the prerequisite for sustainable conviction,” he added.

Justice Chaudhry observed that the chief justices of the high courts would form a panel of competent defence lawyers to represent accused in terrorism cases if they were unable to hire a lawyer for themselves.The chief justice also appreciated the improvement in disposal of pending cases.

Justice Chaudhry directed police chiefs of the four provinces to submit challans of cases related to ATC at the earliest. He, however, impressed upon the police to pursue cases with credible evidence so that culprits involved in crimes, like terrorism, could not escape from the clutches of law.