Administrative powers of ATC-1 judge revoked

The Sindh home department has revoked the administrative powers of the Anti-Terrorism Court I (ATC-1) judge following its recommendation by a division bench of the Sindh High Court that heard the plea against the ATC-1 judge not granting remand of prime suspect Armaghan in the Mustafa Aamir murder case.

The Sindh Home department has issued a formal notification terminating the powers of the administrative judge. Officials said that recently, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar wrote a letter to the SHC after the ATC judge refused to grant police remand of the murder suspect.

According to the notification, the powers of the administrative judge have been assigned to the Anti-Terrorism Court 3. The notification reads: “In the light of order passed by the Hon'ble High Court of Sindh in the Cr. Revision Applications No. 35 to 38 of 2025, the Home department, government of Sindh is pleased to withdraw the powers of Administrative Judge for Anti-Terrorism Courts, Karachi Division, Karachi from the Court of Anti- Terrorism Court-1, Karachi (by designation) earlier granted by this department vide Notification of even number dated: 01.04.2020, with immediate effect.

“The Home department, government of Sindh is pleased to appoint Judge Anti-Terrorism Court-III, Karachi (by designation) as Administrative Judge for Anti-Terrorism Courts, Karachi Division, Karachi, and empowering him to exercise all the powers mandated under Section 21-E read with Section 13 (2) of Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, while in his absence, the Incharge Judge (vide Notification No. REG(HD)/1- 261/2009 dated 16.09.2024 or as and when amended) shall perform the said powers, with immediate effect, till further orders.”