The Law Ministry has given approval for appointment of regular judge for the special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).
Attique ur Rehman has been suggested as the regular judge of the ATC. A summary has been sent to the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for approval.
According to sources, the recommendation for the appointment of regular judge for ATC was made by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecution. Alternatively, the Mumbai attacks case has been subject to constant delays due to absence of a regular judge in the ATC. The Judicial Commission could not be set up despite Indian consent of cross questioning witnesses.
Lawyer for the defendants Riaz Cheema said, “The court adjourned the hearing of the case for one month and nine days.” According to the Anti-Terrorism Act the next hearing date could not be set beyond a gap of 15 days, he added.
He said that he had to submit application for the release of the accused but the hearing was adjourned for one month and nine days due to the Act.