LAHORE: A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday sought assistance from the Punjab prosecution department on a question of reconciliation in cases registered under provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

Heading the bench, Chief Justice Tassaduq Husain Jilani observed that terrorism was a crime against the state and reconciliation in such cases was out of question.

The bench was hearing an appeal of a murder convict seeking acquittal on the basis of settlement with the complainant.

Asif Siddique of Gujranwala had killed four people in 2002 and was tried by an anti-terrorism court. He was sentenced to death by the court.

His counsel stated that the convict had a reconciliation with legal heirs of the murdered; therefore, he should be acquitted.

The bench questioned the counsel as to how a person convicted under anti-terrorism law could be acquitted following a settlement.

The bench observed that several judgments had been delivered on the point that settlement in terrorism cases was not permitted under the law.

The bench adjourned hearing of the appeal for next month and sought assistance of the prosecution department on the matter.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2014