The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government seriously wants the anti-terrorism law to be amended to empower district and session judges, and the additional session judges, to hear terrorism-related cases but needs federal government`s support to make it a reality for ensuring speedy justice, according to the Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Barrister Arshad Abdullah. [...] After the amendments, the statement made by an accused in the presence of a district police officer, or any such senior officer, would be admissible for awarding punishment. To strengthen the legal system the number of judges will be increased and they will be provided maximum facilities, Mr Abdullah said and added that protection of lawyers arguing against terrorists would be ensured and their fee enhanced. He said that about 98 per cent of the accused arrested under terrorism charges were acquitted due to non-existence of insurgency laws and loopholes in anti-terrorism law.