LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan on Wednesday sought a report from the Punjab government on the delay in appointment of judges to anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) in the province.

The chief justice noted that five ATCs in the province had been without judges for a long time.

He observed that the Punjab advocate general had assured the court of quick resolution of the matter, but no progress had been made on behalf of the government so far.

An additional advocate general undertook to submit a progress report on Thursday (today).

Chief Justice Khan was hearing a government appeal seeking transfer of May 9 cases against the PTI leaders from an ATC of Rawalpindi.

The appeal accused the judge of running the trial in a prejudiced manner.

It said there was no hope of justice from the trial judge, therefore, the cases should be transferred to another court.

The chief justice adjourned the hearing of the appeal till Thursday (today) and also directed the registrar’s office to consolidate connected petitions.

The Rawalpindi ATC is seized with the May 9 cases against PTI founder Imran Khan, former vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and others.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2024