Speedy, inexpensive justice, imperative for rule of law: CJP

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jaillani on Saturday said constitutionally, provision of inexpensive and expeditious justice was foremost responsibility of State but Judiciary was also equally responsible to deliver speedy justice which is essential for rule of law in the society.
Justice Tassaduq Jaillani, also Chairman NJPMC said this while chairing a meeting of National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee held in the Supreme Court Branch Registry, Lahore.
He said that the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee provided a permanent forum for interaction and coordination among the Chief Justices of the Superior Judiciary to harmonize Judicial Policy within the court system for improving the capacity and performance of the justice system in the country.
In line with its objective, the Committee embarked on the path of reforming the administration of justice and took important decisions including formulation of National Judicial Policy.
The results of these initiatives are encouraging and have improved the capacity and performance of the justice sector institutions.
Disposal of all old cases by the District Judiciary and ever increasing rate of fresh institution, speak about the success of these initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Justice Agha Rafiq Ahmed Khan, Chief Justice Federal Shariat Court, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Chief Justice High Court of Balochistan, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Chief Justice, Lahore High Court, Justice Maqbool Baqar, Chief Justice, High Court of Sindh, Justice Mian Fasih-ul-Mulk, Chief Justice, Peshawar High Court, Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi, Chief Justice, Islamabad High Court and Secretary Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.
Justice Mohammad Azam Khan, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan, Judge Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Justice Rana Muhammad Arshid Khan, Chief Judge, Supreme Appellate Court Gilgit-Baltistan, Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, Chief Justice, High Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Justice Sahib Khan, Chief Judge, Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan also attended the meeting on special invitation.
The Committee reviewed the performance of district judiciary with reference to old cases and noted that the district judiciary has decided good number of cases.
The Chairman appreciated the judicial officers and observed that it all happened due to their whole-hearted efforts.
The Committee also reviewed the implementation status of its recommendations regarding allocation of additional funds to strengthen district judiciary in terms of human resource and infrastructure.
The Committee condemned the incident which took place in the Islamabad District Courts where precious lives were lost and courts are dysfunctional since then.
The Committee recommended for immediate shifting of courts and asked the Government to house the courts in a secure and gated premises so that courts could perform their functions in a peaceful environment.
The Chief Justice of AJK informed the meeting that the buildings of Supreme Court and High Court of Azad Jammu & Kashmir at Muzaffarabad were badly damaged in the earthquake of 2005 but due to lukewarm response of government, the courts are functioning in the dilapidated buildings despite of the fact that the Building Department of AJK in its three reports has declared both the buildings unfit for use.
The Chairman took serious note of the situation and asked the relevant Government for reconstruction o buildings.
The Committee also considered different suggestions regarding expeditious disposal of cases of Overseas Pakistanis.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan observed that the overseas Pakistanis are contributing in the socio-political and economic development of the country through remittances and are our ambassadors but unfortunately due to weak law and order situation and tedious procedures, they have to face difficulties in pursuing their cases in the homeland.
Realizing the difficulties of expatriate Pakistanis, a Wing in the Human Right Cell of Supreme Court Pakistan has been established to entertain their complaints for quick relief.
The D.G Human Rights Cell, Supreme Court of Pakistan briefed the meeting about the working of Cell.
The Committee was informed that the courts have been directed to decide all such civil cases within a period of six months in which an expatriate Pakistani is a party.
After deliberations, the Committee recommended the Government to consider desirability of establishment of separate Police Stations preferably at divisional levels to entertain complaints of the expatriate Pakistanis.
The Committee also recommended that help lines may be established in each High Court to provide legal assistance to overseas Pakistanis and awareness about remedies available under laws.
The meeting was briefed about the working of Mobile Courts established in the Province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for expeditious justice by resolving disputes at local level through Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism.
The Committee appreciated the innovated approach and termed it a unique experience in Pakistan.
The Secretary, Law and Justice Commission informed the meeting that pursuant to decision of Full Court of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, an International Judicial Conference is being organized on 18-19 April.
The meeting was informed that to make the event meaningful and result-oriented, Chief Justices, Judges and jurists from other jurisdictions have been invited.
In addition, renowned jurists/scholars have been requested for presenting papers on the selected topics in the Conference.
The Committee appreciated the idea and observed that previously such events proved fruitful and provided opportunity to evolve strategies for improving the performance of administration of justice.
The Committee also considered the complaints of District Attorneys regarding their deficient service structure and non-availability of promotion venues beyond BPS-19.
After deliberations, the Committee referred the matter to Provincial Governments for improving the service structure of District Attorneys.