The Ministry of Law and Justice has notified the appointment of four special court judges in different districts of Punjab on deputation basis. According to a notification, District and Sessions Judge Amjad Ali Shah will perform his duties as Special Judge Central Rawalpindi with District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Naeem Sheikh deputed as Special Judge Central Gujranwala.Similarly, two other district and sessions judges Rana Zahid Iqbal and Tanveer Ahmed Sheikh – are appointed in special courts established for Faisalabad and Lahore respectively.

The special courts are sanctioned under Section 8 (i) of the Protection of Pakistan Act, 2014 to provide protection against waging of war or insurrection against the country, prevention of acts threatening its security, speedy trial of offences and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. In this connection, the process stipulates that the government, after consulting with the chief justice concerned, may appoint any person as a special court judge who is or has been a sessions judge in any province of Pakistan, or has been an advocate of the high court for a period of not less than 10 years, and is not more than 70 years of age.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)