Improving judicial system not on parliament's priority list: CJP
He said the model courts are established for expeditious and inexpensive trial of cases.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa on Saturday called it an unfortunate situation that the improvement of judicial system was not on the parliament’s list of priorities as recommendations and amendments were not tabled in the parliament for improvement in judicial policy.
He addressed an event in Islamabad and asserted that the model courts are established – in light of the recommendations of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee – for expeditious and inexpensive trial of cases.
He maintained that every possible effort was being made to adjudicate pending cases as soon as possible.
“Police must immediately investigate a case, and submit its challan. Under judicial policy, cases would proceed under time-bound criminal trial regimen,
He said, while giving an example of Britain and other countries where trials are commenced under pre-defined period.
“Provision of justice can be made easier if time is set for cases to be wrapped up,” he said.
“If, for any reason, a case could not be prosecuted, then its alternative would be presented,” he maintained.
He claimed that the model courts are established with an aim to remove obstacles that cause delays in proceeding of cases.
Justice Khosa said that courts were responsible for provision of expeditious and inexpensive justice to people and victims.The top judge of Pakistan asserted that the experiment of establishment of model courts was intended to execute Article 37-D of the Constitution of Pakistan.
He stressed on the need to eradicate obstacles in the hearings of inmates and proper availability of vans to transport prisoners to courtrooms and prisons.
He disclosed that a junior [advocate] would be appointed to proceed with hearing of a case if defence counsel could not appear for any reason.
He termed it “responsibility of the state” to produce accused persons in the courts [for improvement in judicial system].
He revealed that in the last year, the SC has announced judgments in 26,000 cases. “We will ensure chemical examiners and forensic authorities submit report in a fixed time.” He added. Justice Khosa said that there were certain laws which needed to be reexamined including anti-terrorism act.
