Islamabad:
The National Judicial Policy Committee (NJPMC) has approved uniform deadlines for the elimination of various categories of civil and criminal business as part of a new regime aimed at ensuring rapid justice and reducing the arrears of cases.
The 54th meeting of the NJPMC – was devoted Monday to the Supreme Court of Pakistan under the chairmanship of the Chief of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi – reduced key policy issues, while examining the status of implementation of decisions taken during its 53rd meeting.
The meeting was followed by the main judges of all the high lessons, while the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan attended a special invitation.
According to a detailed press release published after the meeting, the Committee, while recognizing “the commendable efforts” made by the high lessons, has established specific deadlines for the elimination of cases, ranging from two months to two years depending on the nature of the dispute.
The forum also approved the introduction of a double doct judicial regime to accelerate hearings and strengthen legal efficiency.
According to the prescribed deadlines, declaratory proceedings relating to land disputes must be decided within 24 months, while the succession disputes must be resolved in 12 months. The injunction proceedings on disputes should be concluded in the six months.
Collection proceedings dealing with public income or money questions must be finalized in 12 months, while specific performance proceedings (contract application) must be eliminated within 18 months.
Rent cases must be completed in six months while family prosecutions – including issues of dissolution, dower, maintenance and guardianship – must also be decided in six months. Succession affairs (not disputed) must be completed within two months.
The Committee has also prescribed deadlines for the elimination of execution petitions. He decided that the decrees of the family courts will be decided in six months; Banking courts describe in 12 months; Civil courts describe in 12 months while rent issues will be decided in three months.
On the criminal side, cases involving delinquent minors under the 2018 law on the justice system for minors will be decided in six months; The trials of a sentence of up to seven years will be completed in 12 months while trials bearing a sanction of more than seven years will be completed in 18 months.
The NJPMC gave 24 months – two years – to first instance courts to decide on trials for murder.
“These deadlines would be considered one of the key performance indicators in the performance of the judges and would be integrated into the dashboard,” added the press release.
By fixing these uniform deadlines, the NJMPC aims to bring consistency to the legal process and to respond to long -standing concerns concerning delays in the case of elimination. Officials said this decision reflects the commitment of the judiciary to strengthen the rule of law and improve public confidence in the judicial system.
The NJPMC also unanimously reiterated the need for a complete mechanism to guarantee the production of any person owned before the magistrate within 24 hours in order to limit the cases of forced disappearances.
The Committee unanimously reiterated its determination to strengthen institutional capacities, to accelerate access to justice and to ensure an effective and effective justice service.
He also underlined the need for a complete mechanism to ensure the production of people detained in front of a magistrate within 24 hours. The AGP assured that such a mechanism would be developed and placed before the committee at its next meeting.
The Committee also congratulated the high lessons for the formulation of standard operating procedures (SOPS) to protect judicial independence, but underlined the inclusion of stadium periods from the filing of complaints to the final action.
It has been decided that all these cases of foreign influence must be reported within 24 hours and that the action is finalized there within 14 days. SOPs should also provide immediate repair measures to protect the dignity of the complainant’s judge.
In addition, a mechanism for the CJP has been desired for information and intervention, if necessary. The high lessons inform the sops and share the same with the Pakistan law and justice commission (LJCP).
The Committee appreciated the substantial progress made by high lessons to strengthen the framework of trade disputes, recognizing the CLC initiative as a major step towards promoting a robust and efficient commercial dispute framework.
To resolve the problem of prolonged litigation and injunctive orders in commercial, income and tax affairs, a committee was created to write recommendations.
The Committee led by Judge of the Supreme Court Shafi Siddiqui, includes judge Abid Aziz Sheikh of the High Court of Lahore, judge Agha Faisal, of the High Court of the Sindh, judge Arshad Ali of the High Court of Peshawar, the AGP and the Federal Revenue President (FBR).
“The Committee also examines the suggestion of the AGP with regard to questions resulting from the recognition and application of foreign arbitral prices and file its recommendations at the next meeting,” the statement said.
The NJPMC expressed its appreciation for the progress made by SHC and PHC in the creation of criminal first instance courts. He noted that these efforts would considerably help improve access to justice and guarantee its effective and timely delivery.
It has also been observed that such initiatives reflect a solid institutional commitment to continuous improvement to make the legal system focused on citizens.
The forum, while appreciating the efforts made by the LHC in the creation of civil court models, decided that high lessons can control the oldest civil affairs initiative of chronological order.
“The high lessons can determine the number of civil tribunals models in each district, taking into account the number of target cases. District and session judges may yield these cases to model the civil courts within the framework of a trial regime linked to a time,” he added.
The Committee also deliberated on prison reforms and decided to share the reports of provincial sub-commies and the prison reform action plan with high contribution lessons. A national prison policy will be formulated and placed before the next meeting.
