ISLAMABAD:
Islamabad High Court Judge Mohsin Akhtar Kayani on Wednesday ordered that the rules of practice and procedure of the High Court be uploaded on the court’s website within 48 hours and copies provided to the Islamabad High Court and district bar associations.
The directive was issued during a hearing when the court asked a lawyer about the rules of practice and procedure. The petitioner’s lawyer said he did not know the details of the rules and was applying to obtain them.
“We have framed these rules from the High Court which we ourselves have not received,” Justice Kayani remarked. “I am a judge and I have not received them, how would you receive them?
The judge noted that although the full court had approved the rules, they had not been made public. “The rules of practice and procedure are a secret document,” he observed.
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Justice Kayani ordered the lawyer to write to the Registrar for the rules. When the lawyer said he had contacted the Justice Department and would also submit a request, the judge expressed concern about the delays.
“If there’s a document here, the clerk doesn’t provide it for three months straight,” he said.
Highlighting his order, Justice Kayani said: “I have ordered that the rules be uploaded on the website within 48 hours. » He warned that criminal proceedings could be initiated if the order was not carried out and said he would summon the registrar if necessary.
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When the lawyer asked that the next hearing be set for January 29, the judge replied: “I don’t know if I will be here on the 29th or not.” The court then adjourned the hearing.
