LAHORE: The Government was taking effective steps to decide cases pending in various districts within the minimum period. This was disclosed by a West Pakistan Government spokesman in an informal meeting with Pressmen here today [March 11].

The spokesman said that 20 to 25 per cent cases pending in the courts were being disposed of every month, following the measures adopted by the Government. He said 41 new special-cum-honorary magistrates have been appointed throughout the province to assist the present magisterial staff. Since the West Pakistan High court relaxed restrictions on the grant of Section 30 powers to magistrates, the disposal of the cases have become easier. The spokesman further said that a special committee consisting of the district magistrate as its chairman, and the superintendent of police and the public prosecutor as its members, had been formed in every district to withdraw the cases where the under-trial prisoners had undergone more confinement than the punishment that could be awarded for the crime committed by them. — Agency

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2020