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Islamabad, February 03, 2018 (PPI-OT): Today, a meeting of the Chairmen and Presiding Officers of all the Administrative Tribunals and Special Courts (both Federal and Provincial) was held under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Chief Justice of Pakistan/Chairman National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) in the auditorium of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Islamabad.
The meeting was attended by the Hon’ble Chief Justice, Federal Shariat Court Mr. Justice Sheikh Najam-ul-Hassan, Hon’ble Chief Justices of the Provincial High Courts which includes Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mr. Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi, Chief Justice Islamabad High Court, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Muhammad Noor Meskanazai, Chief Justice High Court of Balochistan, Hon’ble Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Chief Justice Lahore High Court, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi, Peshawar High Court, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ahamed Ali M. Sheikh, Chief Justice High Court of Sindh also attended the meeting. The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali, Senior Puisne Judge Lahore High Court and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Former Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan/Member Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) attended the meeting on special invitation. Dr. Muhammad Raheem Awan, Secretary NJPMC/LJCP convened the meeting.
The Hon’ble Chief Justices of the High Courts informed the meeting about institution, disposal, pendency of cases and status of vacant posts in the Administrative Tribunals/Special Courts in 2017. The Hon’ble Chief Justice High Court of Balochistan informed the meeting that in 2017 the disposal rate of Administrative Tribunals/Special Courts was higher than the institution rate.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice Lahore High Court suggested that the location of all ex-cadre courts may be shifted to divisional headquarters, ex-cadre courts be entrusted with ordinary cases, the ex-cadre courts may be brought under the supervisory control of High Courts and the infrastructure of ex-cadre courts be improved. He further informed that the ex-cadre council has been formed for interaction with Presiding Officers of ex-cadre courts.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice Peshawar High Court informed that the Peshawar High Court has appointed Administrative Judge to supervise the performance of the Administrative Tribunals/Special Courts and to assess their needs. He further stated that the performance benchmark of one court cannot be equated with that of another court as progress parameters of one court are different from the other.
He also informed that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa work of more than one special court has been assigned a single judge for effective utilization of human resource. Similarly, a special judge tours various areas for adjudication. He further suggested that the Presiding Officers of Special Courts should have administrative control of their staff and similarly, the Administrative Tribunals / Special Courts should be brought under administrative purview of the High Court.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice High Court of Sindh stated that the vacant posts of Presiding Officers of Administrative Tribunals may be filled upon the advice of the Chief Justice as some times the Special Judges are appointed by the Federal and Provincial Governments after long delays. Similarly, the power of appointments in Administrative Tribunals/Special Courts should be given to the High Court. He also informed that the number of prosecutors in the Special Courts may be increased.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Former Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan/Member LJCP/Chairman National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) informed the meeting that the vacant posts in NIRC have been filled. Moreover, he suggested that the vacant post of Member NIRC should be filled within two months, moreover, appointment of staff in NIRC should be made through judiciary. He further thanked the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan for inviting and speaking to the Presiding Officers of the Special Courts which will give a message to the Special Judges that they are part of the judiciary.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Pakistan stated that the Chairmen and Presiding Officers of the Administrative Tribunals/Special Courts are part and parcel of adjudicature. He emphasized that the special courts should work with passion, devotion and in accordance with law in meeting targets and moreover, in meeting this end shortage of staff should not be an obstacle. Furthermore, he emphasized that after hearing arguments, judgements should be passed in one month.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan also stated the judiciary is an important pillar of the State and the State will be at loss if this pillar is not able to work. He informed that he took up the issue of the disposal rate of Administrative Tribunals / Special Courts in NJPMC meeting 13 May 2017 and consequently this meeting has been called.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan asked Dr. Muhammad Raheem Awan, Secretary LJCP to present the institution, disposal and pendency status of the Administrative Tribunals / Special Courts for 2017 and the courts which were under performing were directed to improve their performance. He further informed that he will monitor the performance of Administrative Tribunals/Special Courts.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan informed the meeting that the issue of vacant posts in Administrative Tribunals/Special Courts has been taken up on the judicial side in the Supreme Court and a number of slots have been filled. He also stated that in case the Presiding Officers of the Administrative Tribunals/Special Courts have any issues regarding their pay, perks and privileges then the same may be communicated through High Courts.
He further stated that the infrastructure of the Administrative Tribunals/Special Courts requires improvement and all the special courts should be located in one place, moreover, staff of the special courts should be under the administrative control of the Presiding Officers. He directed Secretary LJCP for studying various federal and provincial laws for proposing law reforms for brining Administrative Tribunals / Special Courts under administrative control of the High Court.
For more information, contact:
Public Relations Officer
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Tel: +92 51 9204184, 9220581
Fax: +9251 9213452
Email: mail@supremecourt.gov.pk