Islamabad, Jan 4, IRNA – The security forces have arrested 2,200 persons so far in Malakand, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and other parts of the tribal areas of the country during the ongoing war against terrorism.
In an interview with a private TV channel, A. Malik said that under the Anti-terrorism Act, persons arrested on the charges of terrorism and sabotage acts against the State can be kept in custody for 90 days for the purpose of investigation etc. However, the government can detain them for another three months after presenting them in the Anti-terrorist Courts.
The Interior Minister said that investigation agencies are preparing challans (cases) of these accused for prosecution in the Anti-Terrorist Courts to meet ends of justice. He said that the government is considering to hand over powers of the ATCs to the Qazi courts in the Malakand Division for trial of accused, who are involved in waging war against the State. He said that the Interior Ministry has also prepared hundreds of cases involving some influential people who had committed white colour crimes, including money laundering, which would also be presented in the courts at an appropriate time.