Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 — Section 12: Jurisdiction of 2[Anti-terrorism Court]

12. Jurisdiction of 2[Anti-terrorism Court]. — (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code or in any other law, a scheduled offence committed in an area in a Province 3[or the Islamabad Capital Territory] shall be triable only by the 2[Anti-terrorism Court] exercising territorial jurisdiction in relation to such area.

(2)Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), if, in respect of a case involving a scheduled offence committed in any area, the Government, having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, is satisfied that in order to ensure a fair trial, or for the protection and safety of witnesses, that such offence should be tried by 2[an Anti-terrorism Court] established in relation to any other area, the Government may make a declaration to that effect. Explanation. __ Where 2[an Anti-terrorism Court] is established in relation to two or more areas, 1 [13. Establishment of Anti-terrorism Court.___(1) For the purpose of providing for the speedy trial of the cases 2[under this Act] and of scheduled offences, the Federal Government, or if so directed by the Government, the Provincial Government may establish by notification one or more Anti-terrorism Courts in relation to 3[each territorial area as specified by the High Court concerned].

(2)Where more Anti-terrorism courts than one have been established in any area, the Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court shall 4[designate a judge of any such Court to be an administrative judge] and all cases triable under this Act pertaining to the said area shall be filed before the 4[said court and such judge may either try the case himself] or, assign any case, or cases, for trial to any other anti-terrorism court at any time prior to the framing of the charge. The cases shall be assigned to a court one case at a time”: Provided that in order to ensure that the time of the court is not wasted if for some reason a given case cannot proceed more than one case can be assigned to it at any time or from time to time.

(3)In respect of a case assigned to a court under sub-section (2), all orders made or proceedings taken before the assignment shall be deemed to have been made or taken by the court to which the case has been assigned.]