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Islamabad, November 30, 2012 (PPI-OT): The High Court of Sindh organized a meeting of Judicial Officers of Karachi and Malir districts for briefing of the District and Sessions Judges regarding clearance of backlog and disposal of oldest cases. The meeting was presided by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan, Hon’ble Chief Justice High Court of Sindh, Hon’ble Judges of the High Court of Sindh and District Judiciary attended the meeting.
The District Judges gave presentation regarding disposal of oldest cases in their respective Districts. The data revealed that up to 15.11.2012, in Karachi South total 727 oldest Criminal and Civil cases were pending while in Karachi West total 1868 oldest Criminal and Civil cases were pending. In Karachi East, total 324 oldest Criminal and Civil cases were pending while in Karachi Central Total 120 oldest Criminal and Civil cases were pending.
In Malir District total 50 oldest Criminal and Civil cases were pending. According to the decisions of National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) taken on 3rd November, 2012 these oldest cases are to be decided till 31st December, 2012. The District and Sessions Judges assured that they will achieve the target for disposal of oldest cases within prescribed period.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan/Chairman NJPMC, Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in his concluding address stated that the District Judiciary primarily represents the over all image of the judicial system to the general public. It is here that the litigant parties initially come into contact with the justice system.
Talking about the National Judicial Policy, the Hon’ble Chief Justice stated that it has been 3½ years since the National Judicial Policy was launched. The Policy primarily aimed at achieving three key objects: one, to eliminate backlog and reduce pendency; two, expedite the trial proceedings thereby providing expeditious relief to the litigant parties which is a constitutional mandate; and three, to institutionalize and enhance the independence of judiciary, thereby making the judiciary an impartial institution for rendering justice and deciding disputes freely and expeditiously.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan acknowledged the hard work put in by the members of District Judiciary and said that in Sindh province the issue of backlog still exists. He further stated that pendency in districts of Karachi is not so huge as compared to the strength of judges and as a matter of fact, the average pendency before each Judge comes to around 493 cases which is not a difficult object and is achievable.
He said that it is an ideal situation for each judge to achieve the Policy target. But of course it requires planning, strategy and determination. He further stated that it is due to the able guidance of Chief Justice, High Court of Sindh and inspection Judges of district judiciary that makes it workable to achieve the Policy targets.
Encouraging the Judicial Officers, Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan stated that the institution of judiciary has come under the lime light because of the hard work, dedicated efforts coupled with independence and impartial dispensation of justice reposed confidence of public in judiciary and consequently more and more litigants are approaching the courts for resolution of their disputes and redressal of their grievances. He further stated that the judiciary has, therefore, to gear up to meet the challenge and come up to their expectations.
He further stated that whatever achievements and success is primarily and due to their commitment, hard work and better utilization of existing resources and by remaining within the existing legal and judicial Policy framework which enhances public confidence in administration of justice. He stated that it is a unique service rendered to the nation which is an honour, obligation to serve litigants and grant them relief, succor and decide their cases as well as disputes quickly.
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