LAHORE: Administrative Judge of antiterrorism courts (ATCs) in Punjab, Justice Abdul Sami Khan, on Friday expressed concern over the rising number of proclaimed offenders (POs) in the province, asking the police authorities to ensure their arrest.

A report submitted to the judge showing performance of all regional police officers on cases lodged under Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 has revealed that there are 1,002 POs in the province.

The report says 57 POs have been arrested while 41 more suspects have been put in the list of the POs. It shows 187 POs in Lahore, 233 in Gujranwala, 176 in DG Khan, 119 in Rawalpindi, 116 in Sheikhupura, 97 in Faisalabad, 46 in Bahawalpur, 16 in Multan, 8 in Sargodha and 6 in Sahiwal region.

Showing concern over the statistics, Justice Khan said the alarming increase in the number of the POs needed to be decreased. The judge directed the police to ensure filing of charges in court in all under investigation cases.

He also directed the prosecutor general and police officers to depute officials well conversant with procedure/investigation relating to ATCs.