Special courts formed for lawyers’ protection

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has set up special courts across the country to safeguard the lawyers’ community.

A notification to this effect has been issued by the Law Ministry on Saturday.

According to the notification, the special courts will be established in Islamabad, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan and will handle cases related to harassment or attacks on lawyers

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, senior Additional District and Sessions Judges and Senior Civil Judges (Admin) have been given the authority to hear such cases.

In Punjab, each district’s Additional District and Sessions Judge (1) and Senior Civil Judge will preside over cases under the Lawyers Protection Act.

In Islamabad, the authority has been assigned to Additional District and Sessions Judges and Senior Civil Judges (East and West).

In Sindh, Additional District and Sessions Judges (1) in all districts will handle related trials.

In Balochistan, District and Sessions Judges, Additional District and Sessions Judges, and Judicial Magistrates have been empowered to oversee cases of harassment or attacks on lawyers.

The initiative is aimed at ensuring justice and swift legal proceedings for incidents targeting members of the legal fraternity, the notification says.

May 9 cases: Eight PTI leaders declared proclaimed offenders