SC orders courts hearing May 9 cases to give verdicts in four months
Also orders courts to submit progress reports every fortnight
Stay tuned with 24 News HD Android App
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered the anti-terrorism courts (ATCs), hearing the May 9 cases, to give decisions in four months, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
A three-member bench of the SC, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi, heard the appeals filed by the Punjab government, seeking cancellation of bail of May 9 suspects.
The apex court also made it binding on the courts to submit progress reports to the chief justices of the concerned high courts every fortnight.
Earlier, in its report submitted to the SC, the Punjab government said that the loss of over Rs190 million was caused by the riots, which took place in 38 cities of the province on May 9.
It was informed that of a total 35, 962 suspects in the May 9 cases, 24,595 were still at large.
Giving further details, the report said that the loss of Rs110 million was caused in Lahore; Rs26 million in Rawalpindi, and Rs50 million in Mianwali.
Moreover, a total of 319 cases were registered in connection with these incidents of violence.
Reporter: Amanat Gishkori