Judiciary sets strict timelines for case resolution nationwide

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC), under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, approved specific timelines for the resolution of various types of court cases across the country.

The meeting, attended by Chief Justices of all High Courts and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, decided that property disputes must be resolved within 24 months, inheritance, public revenue, and financial disputes within 12 months, and criminal cases involving minors within 6 months. Murder trials are to be completed within 24 months.

The committee emphasised the need for a comprehensive mechanism to ensure that individuals in custody are presented before a magistrate within 24 hours. The Attorney General assured the committee that such a mechanism would be developed and presented at the next meeting. The committee also reviewed standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent external interference in judicial matters, stating that any such interference should be reported within 24 hours and addressed within 14 days.

The SOPs will also ensure the dignity and confidentiality of any judge lodging a complaint. High Courts have been directed to notify and share these SOPs.

The committee recognised the efforts of the commercial litigation framework team, led by Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui of the Supreme Court, and including Justices Abid Aziz Sheikh (Lahore High Court), Agha Faisal (Sindh High Court), and Arshad Ali (Peshawar High Court). Alongside them, the Attorney General and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman were also part of the team. The NJPMC appreciated the High Courts' work and approved uniform timelines for resolving various types of cases, which will also serve as performance benchmarks for judges.

These timelines include: 24 months for property disputes, 12 months for inheritance, public revenue, and monetary claims, 6 months for tenancy and family cases, 12 months for banking court decree cases, 6 months for juvenile criminal cases, 12 months for criminal cases with penalties of up to 7 years, 18 months for cases involving more than 7 years of punishment, and 24 months for murder trials. Labour cases must also be decided within 6 months.

The committee also proposed the establishment of citizen-friendly complaint redressal forums in High and district courts. High Courts may designate model courts in each district to conduct time-bound trials, with District and Sessions Judges assigning relevant cases accordingly. Sub-committees on provincial prison reforms will present their reports to the High Courts, and a national jail policy will be developed in the next NJPMC meeting.

The Attorney General committed to realistically addressing delays in returning judicial officers from special courts and tribunals. He also promised to assist High Courts in appointing audit officers through coordination with provincial Accountant Generals, to improve internal auditing.

Additionally, it was decided that under the Control of Narcotics Substances Act 1997 and related provincial laws, bail applications will be heard alongside appeals in front of two-member benches.

The Chief Justice of Lahore High Court assured that biometric verification during case filing will be implemented, and progress on this will be reported at the next meeting. The NJPMC's next meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2025.