ISLAMABAD: Judicial magistrates working in Islamabad district and sessions court-East have been directed to arrange the attendance of under-trial prisoners through online video link or Skype to save the government exchequer amid a hike in petroleum products prices.

District and Sessions Judge-East Muhammad Atta Rabbani issued the order on Saturday.

The online attendance of those under-trial prisoners would be ensured whose “challans or reports under Section 173 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) are yet to be submitted and their physical attendance is not required for any substantial proceedings in the cases,” said the order.

The judicial magistrates were further directed by the judge to utilise available resources, such as the internet and laptops, which had been provided to them for the stated purpose.

“As and when the challan or report under Section 173 of the CrPC is received, the accused may be summoned for production before the court,” it added.