——– Initiates diagnostic study to deal effectively on backlog, transparency
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi on Thursday expressed concern over the backlog at anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) across the country and emphasized the importance of expediting these cases to ensure justice was not delayed.
A meeting of the Administrative Judges of Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATC) was held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, chaired by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi.
The meeting reviewed the performance of ATCs and took stock of key challenges to ensure the swift and efficient dispensation of justice in anti-terrorism cases.
It was attended by monitoring judges from Supreme Court Justice, Jamal Khan Mandokhail (via video link), Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Musarrat Hilali, Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan and monitoring judges of ATC courts and Prosecutors General from all provinces and ICT.
The meeting was also attended by Registrar, Supreme Court and Secretary, Law and Justice Commission were also present.
Opening the meeting, the Chief Justice welcomed the participants and outlined the purpose of the session, which was to assess the current status and performance of ATC cases, as well as to identify and address barriers to the efficient delivery of justice.
He reminded the participants of the immense responsibility that they carry in dispensing justice, urging them to uphold the law, impartially and without fear or favor.
During the meeting, it was disclosed that a total of 2,273 ATC cases are currently pending in Pakistan, with a significant portion — 1,372 cases —awaiting resolution in Sindh alone.
The Chief Justice expressed concern over the backlog and emphasized the importance of expediting these cases to ensure justice is not delayed.
Key challenges facing ATC courts were discussed, including: Ensuring adequate security for witnesses, facilitating online appearances for witnesses, Establishing and enhancing Forensic Scientific Laboratories (FSL) to support evidence-based decisions, creating additional ATC courts to manage high caseloads effectively.
The CJP issued specific directions that forensic scientific lab (FSL) Sindh to extend help to Balochistan in operationalization of FSL labs in Quetta. He further directed that the ATC judges completing their term in ATC courts should be accommodated on soft positions.
He further announced that outperforming ATC judges must be accommodated in foreign trainings with the support of Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan.
The Chief Justice desired the Attorney General for Pakistan, along with the Prosecutors General of each province, to take up these issues with their respective governments.
He called for swift and coordinated action to address the infrastructure and resource needs of ATCs, which were essential for delivering timely and fair outcomes in anti-terrorism cases.
Earlier, The Chief Justice of Pakistan has initiated diagnostic study for design and execution of short and medium-term strategic interventions following his commitment to improve deliver and access to justice.
A dedicated team of professionals from various fields, with passion to work pro bono, has undertaken functional assessment of the available resources, effectiveness of existing court processes and systems and the challenges and opportunities.
This exercise will be followed by finalization of a workable reform plan with time-lines and impact assessment mechanism, said a press release.
The proposed reform interventions focus on reduction of cases backlog, improved accessibility and transparency through simplification of processes, technological integration and public centric approach, by exploiting the available resources and the existing legal framework. Prioritization of cases involving marginalized segments of the society and high impact cases would be the key feature of the reform interventions.
Stakeholders’ engagement, throughout the design and implementation process is being taken care of. Initially, professionals from diverse backgrounds, court staff and other key players of justice sector, including Bar, are being involved for meaningful input. The draft strategic plan would be put to public debate and feedback before its finalization.
