Over six in ten high-profile terror suspects acquitted in Pak in 2011

Islamabad, Jan 28 (ANI): Sixty-three percent (282) of 447 high-profile terrorism cases that had been tried, were acquitted by anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) in Pakistan's Punjab state in 2011.

According to official statistics, there are a total of 925 high-profile terrorism cases there, The Express Tribune reports.

It also suggested that most of the accused were acquitted by ATCs due to a lack of evidence. They include ring leaders of outlawed terrorist organisations like the Laskhar-e-Jhangvi, the Sipah-e-Sahaba, the Tehreek-e-Taliban and the Harkat-ul-Mujahadeen.

A brief summary of the Punjab public prosecution department has revealed that the accused in 12 cases were acquitted due to compromise in compoundable cases, while suspects in 183 cases were reportedly acquitted over out-of-court settlement with witnesses. The accused in 87 cases were acquitted on merit.

Of the 447 decided cases, the accused in 165 cases were convicted, while out of the total 925 cases, 142 cases were transferred to ordinary courts.

Since December 31, 2011, as many as 336 cases have reportedly been pending before ATCs in Punjab. Of the total 925 cases, 346 had been pending since 2010, while 579 cases were added in 2011. (ANI)