Out of the 28 juvenile offenders in Punjab whose names were on the aforementioned list, 10 prisoners
were tried by Anti-Terrorism Courts. To date, 4 have been executed, while 3 have been released and 1 is
currently awaiting execution. There is a lack of information available regarding the remaining juveniles.
Similarly, on 9 August, 2004, the Government of Sindh issued a letter to an Anti-Terrorism Court, Karachi
for the determination of age of 6 juvenile offenders under the Presidential Notification. The ATC, however,
dismissed the request alleging that it had become functus officio following the conclusion of appeals its mandate or authority in the case had come to an end.
This report attempts to delineate the plethora of flaws and procedural inadequacies in the ATA that have
rendered it ineffective in the context of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts. It has been derived from a
comprehensive review of 27 cases, as well as interviews of law practitioners and those convicted under the
ATA. It is cognizant of the institutional flaws deeply entrenched in the judiciary and law enforcement agencies. Ultimately, it delineates the egregious violations of fundamental rights inherent in the summary and
unlawful executions of some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable prisoners, whose crimes bear no nexus to
terrorism.
TRIAL AND TERROR
04