CJ secures backing of SC, HCs judges
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Chief Justices of Supreme Court and high Court of AJ&K reposing confidence and trust in the able and progressive leadership of the Chief Justice of Pakistan have extended their full support and cooperation to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar.
A meeting of the Chief Justices of the country as well as Chief Justices of Supreme Court and High Court of AJ&K was held Friday in the Supreme Court Building at Islamabad.
The meeting was presided over by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Chief Justice of Pakistan and attended by Chief Justice of Federal Shariat Court, Chief Justices of the Lahore High Court, High Court of Sindh, Peshawar High Court, High Court of Balochistan, Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court, Chief Justices of Supreme Court and High Court of AJ&K.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan welcomed the Hon’ble Chief Justices to the meeting. The Hon’able Chief Justices reposed confidence and trust in the able and progressive leadership of the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The Hon’ble Chief Justices extended their full support and cooperation to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan.
The Chief Justices discussed different issues and challenges confronting the system of administration of justice in the country, the biggest among them being the delay in the disposal of cases and the resultant ever-rising backlog. They emphasized the need to pay special attention to the disposal of cases of the condemned prisoners, juvenile offenders, women prisoners.
After threadbare discussion of the issues following measures for quick disposal of cases were approved:- Constitution of special benches for quick disposal of cases of condemned prisoners, juvenile offenders, women prisoners. Filling of vacancies in all the High Courts on urgent basis and also increase of strength of Judges in those High Courts.
Disposal of cases of the condemned prisoners, juveniles, women accused, which are three or more years old urgently preferably within a period of 3 months. Establishment of cells within the High Courts for regular fixation/follow up of the aforesaid categories of cases pending in the High Courts as well as at the lower courts. Completion of investigation/submission of challans in courts within the timeframe provided under the law. Construction of new jails, separate jails for women, improvements in the existing jails, establishment of courts in the jail premises for trial of certain categories of cases, establishment of judicial lock ups near the court complexes. Establishment/activation of the fund for payment of ‘Diyat’/fines on behalf of prisoners who are unable to pay the same and secure their release in accordance with the Rules framed in pursuance of judgment of Lahore High Court. Discouragement of unnecessary adjournments and adoption of punitive measures on frivolous adjournments as provided under the law.
Disposal of terrorism cases in the light of the Anti Terrorism Act as well as the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the case of Sheikh Liaquat Hussain.
Periodic inspections of the subordinate courts and monitoring of their performance by the concerned Hon’ble Judges of the High Courts and Member Inspection Teams (MITs).
A briefing was given to the Chief Justices on the status of Access to Justice Programme. The Hon’ble Chief Justices were informed that Access to Justice Programme has completed 468 schemes whereas 188 schemes are going on across the country. The committee was told that under the Access to Justice Programme schemes have been initiated in the Federal Judicial Academy, Ministry of Law, Law and Justice Commission, Ministry of Interior, Supreme Court and Federal Shariat Court. The committee was told that Access to Justice Programme has allocated funds for the construction/renovation of courts, residences, prisons, jails staff offices, staff residences, police stations etc in all the four provinces. The Chief Justices were told that Access to Justice Programme has a total allocation of 10500 million Rupees out of which 9020 million has been actually utilised and the remaining projects are underway at different stages.