LAHORE, Nov 14: Capital punishment has been banned under the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance, 2000, for convicts less than 18 years of age, Law Minister Dr Khalid Ranjha said on Wednesday.

Dr Ranjha was speaking at a seminar on law and order and the juvenile justice system organized by the Rotary Club-Cosmopolitan here on Wednesday.

Under the ordinance, he said, the courts will hear cases of juvenile accused separately and not along with the adult accused. The courts, he said, had the powers to order the treatment of a juvenile prisoner in hospital.

To provide prompt justice to women and children, he said, four kanals Prisons Department land on Ferozepur Road has been given to the Law Department for the construction of a court complex where cases involving women and children would be heard daily.

He said it had also been proposed to transfer women and juvenile prisoners from Kot Lakhpat to Camp Jail for the purpose.

The minister said he had asked the prison authorities to explore the possibility of improving the conditions in jail barracks with help from prisoners who wanted a better class in jail.

Earlier, he said it was the responsibility of the government to protect life, property and honour of citizens. He said a case could be registered against a person whose cheque was dishonoured.

Speaking at another seminar, organized by the Youth Council for Drug Control, he urged teachers and the ulema to use their influence to discourage smoking and drug addiction.