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Islamabad, October 06, 2012 (PPI-OT): The National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee is high power body constituted under an Ordinance (LXXI) of 2002. The Chief Justice of Pakistan is the Chairman of the Committee and the Chief Justice, Federal Shariat Court and Chief Justices of 4 Provincial High Courts are its members.
The National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee is required to coordinate and harmonize judicial policy within the court system, and in coordination with the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, ensure its implementation. The Committee performs the functions regarding
(a) Improving the capacity and performance of the administration of justice;
(b) Setting performance standards for judicial officers and persons associated with performance of judicial and quasi judicial functions;
(c) Improvement in the terms and conditions of service of judicial officers and court staff, to ensure skilled and efficient judiciary;
(d) Publication of the annual or periodic reports of the Supreme Court, Federal Shariat Court, High Courts and courts subordinate to High Courts and Administrative Courts and Tribunals.
Today, the meeting of National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee was held at Supreme Court Branch Registry, Quetta which was presided over by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and was attended by all its members.
The HCJP in his introductory remarks said that an independent and strong system of administration of justice ensures stability, rule of law and good governance in the society. No one can deny that the good governance, in turn leads to socio economic development by generating commercial activities and investment opportunities. If we look around, will find the secret of nation’s success is adherence to the Constitution, rule of law and a system of government which provides good governance and strong administration.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan observed that the provision of expeditious and inexpensive justice to all segments of society is the main concern of National judicial (Policy Making) Committee and that’s why efforts are being made to improve the capacity and performance of justice sector institutions. After implementation of National Judicial Policy, the disposal rate as well as performance of the justice sector institution has improved considerably. The Judges are making extra efforts to meet the targets of Policy. The ever increasing institution rate speaks about the confidence of the people in the ability of judiciary for resolution their disputes.
He said that the Hon’ble Judges are always mindful of the fact that ‘Not only Justice be done but it must also be seen to have been done’; for this reason High Courts were asked to direct District and Sessions Judges to physically verify each and every pending old case (i.e. cases instituted upto 31st December 2008) in district for situation analysis.
He said that in today’s meeting the reports to make polices for early disposal of these old cases will be examined. The performance of district judiciary in the backdrop of Policy will also be reviewed. It is considered view that this is the time to identify the shortcomings which are frustrating our commitment to provide expeditious and inexpensive justice for all.
He further observed that after implementation of Policy, the performance of justice sector institutions is being monitored closely and in this regard software was also developed and deployed after thorough consultation with the High Courts. Training sessions for Master Trainers representing relevant departments was also arranged in the Federal Judicial Academy. After deliberation and brainstorming sessions, the High Courts were asked to upload relevant date of cases for monitoring the performance of the district judiciary. Today the deployment status of software will be weighed up and strategy for strengthening the monitoring system to ensure expeditious and inexpensive justice will be evolved.
Talking about the jail conditions, he added that, the strong exception to the deteriorating conditions of jails has been taken and it is realized that there is a dire need for reforms in jails to provide and environment to the convicts that after serving their term they should be reintegrated into society as responsible and law abiding citizens.
In order to alleviate the sufferings of prison inmates and improve the living conditions in jails, directions are being issued to the concerned authorities. Simultaneously, the District and Sessions Judges and Additional District and Sessions Judges are directed to visit jails fortnightly and examine the record of production of prisoners and overall situation in jails to know the attitude and behaviour of jail officers with the prisoners.
The District and Sessions Judges are regularly paying visits to the jails and owing to such visits the living conditions in jail have also been improved to certain extent. In this meeting we will consider the efforts of the provincial government to address the problems of Prisoners and evolve strategies to further improve the living condition of Jails.
Talking about the National Judicial Policy, he said that, the Policy sets out a roadmap to achieve the sacred purpose of prompt dispensation of justice by an independent and upright judiciary. The Policy is not something sacrosanct.
It is continuously under review to revise and meet its predetermined goals of providing adequate, prompt and impartial relief to all persons who come before us, irrespective of their status, ethnic background, religion or gender. That’s why suggestions are invited for enhancing the effectiveness of Policy and how to strengthen the system of administration of Justice.
For more information, contact:
Shahid Hussain Kamboyo
Public Relations Officer
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Tel: +9251 920 4184
Fax: +9251 920 1001
Email: pro_scp@yahoo.com