National News

ISLAMABAD (APP): The Ministry of Law and Justice has
been taking concrete steps to provide speedy and inexpensive justice to the
people of the country as per manifesto of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz
(PML-N).
According to official sources, a legal reform committee has already
been constituted to suggest reforms for the provision of low cost and speedy
justice at doorstep of people.
The ministry has finalized the proposal regarding time limitation of
criminal cases by upto six month while civil cases by upto one year and
establishing evening courts or increase of court timings.
The sources said the number of judges, their status and power of
Ombudsman are being increased while special courts are being established in
Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The source added that the committee’s proposal to review the
“Panchayat system” and special courts to handle banking cases are under
consideration, adding all the courts are being updated to streamline the
justice system.
According to Ministry of Law and Justice, the tendency of false,
vexatious and un-maintainable cases and taking baseless grounds for defenses
is alarmingly on increase.
This tendency leads to numerous evils involving heavy expenditure
incurred by innocent persons causing them financial loss and mental torture
apart from wasting the precious time of the courts.
The existing provisions of section 35 and 35A of the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908, do not adequately cater for such a situation, therefore,
comprehensive provisions have been enshrined in the costs of Litigation Bill,2015 in order to empower the Courts to impose costs to discourage false and frivolous litigation and unnecessary adjournments for quick disposal and
speedy justice.
The Access to Justice Programme (AJP) is one of the key reforms
initiative which aims at implementing reforms in judicial, police, legal and
administrative Justice Sector to ensure speedy and in-expensive delivery of
justice to the people.
Various schemes have been launched under AJP like construction of
new Court Rooms, Judicial Complexes, Judges Residences, Record Rooms,
Judicial Lockups, Bar Rooms, Provision of public amenities i.e. sheds and
bath rooms in court premises and upgradation of jails.
The ministry is also taking steps to ensure speedy justice in lower
judiciary and for this purpose it is enhancing accountability of the District and Session Courts (Lower Judiciary) and is effectively keeping a watch on their performance. High Courts have institutionalized monitoring system through Members Inspection Team (MIT).
The MIT is mandated to hear complaints against subordinate
judiciary.
Courts for small Claims and Minor Offences were established for
speedy and inexpensive justice related to small claims up to the limit
of Rs. 500,000.