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Pak military 'suitably' amends anti-terrorism laws

The military government in Pakistan has amended the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 to bring in high court judges at the head of special courts and bring in their purview newer crimes like waging war against the state and hijacking.

An ordinance to bring the changes into immediate 'overriding' effect was promulgated by President Rafiq Ahmad Tarar late last night, just a day before deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif and six other accused were to be arraigned on charges of murder, hijacking and high treason.

A special anti-terrorism court set up under the amended law for speedy disposal of cases would be headed by a sessions judge or an additional sessions judge.

The special court to which a case is transferred or recalled for trial shall proceed with the case from the stage at which it was pending immediately before such transfer or recall and it shall not be bound to recall or rehear any witness who has given evidence and may act on the evidence already recorded, the ordinance said.

The amended schedule of the anti-terrorism act will now allow the special courts to try offences like hijacking and criminal conspiracy.

UNI

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