ISLAMABAD:
The National Judicial Policy-Making Committee (NJPMC) has approved uniform timelines for the disposal of various categories of civil and criminal cases under a new regime aimed at ensuring speedy justice and reducing case backlogs.
The 54th meeting of the NJPMCconvened on Monday at the Supreme Court of Pakistan under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridideliberated on key policy issues, while reviewing implementation status of the decisions taken in its 53rd meeting.
The meeting was attended by the chief justices of all the high courts, while Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan attended on special invitation.
According to a detailed press release issued after the meeting, the committee, while acknowledging “the commendable efforts” made by the high courts, laid down specific deadlines for case disposal, ranging from two months to two years depending on the nature of the dispute.
The forum also endorsed the introduction of a double-docket court regime to expedite hearings and strengthen judicial efficiency.
According to the prescribed timelines declaratory suits relating to land disputes are to be decided within 24 months, while inheritance disputes must be resolved in 12 months. Injunction suits on land disputes should conclude within six months.
Recovery suits dealing with public revenue or money matters must be finalized in 12 months, whereas specific performance suits (contract enforcement) should be disposed of within 18 months.
Rent cases are required to be completed in six months while family suitsincluding matters of dissolution, dower, maintenance, and guardianshipmust also be decided in six months. Succession cases (uncontested) are to be wrapped up within two months.
The committee further prescribed timelines for the disposal of execution petitions. It decided that family court decrees will be decided in six months; banking court decrees in 12 months; civil court decrees in 12 months while rent matters will be decided in three months.
On the criminal side, cases involving juvenile offenders under the Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018 will be decided in six months; trials carrying punishment of up to seven years will be concluded in 12 months while trials carrying punishment of more than seven years will be wrapped up in 18 months.
The NJPMC has given 24 monthstwo yearsto trial courts to decide murder trials.
“These timelines would be considered as one of the Key Performance Indicators in Judges Performance Evaluation and would be in-built at the dashboard,” the statement added.
By setting these uniform deadlines, the NJMPC aims to bring consistency to the judicial process and address long-standing concerns over delays in case disposal. Officials said the move reflects the judiciary’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law and enhancing public trust in the justice system.
The NJPMC also unanimously reiterated the need for a comprehensive mechanism for ensuring production of any detained person before the magistrate within 24 hours in order to curb instances of enforced disappearances.
The committee unanimously reiterated its resolve to strengthen institutional capacity, accelerate access to justice, and ensure efficient and effective justice delivery.
It also emphasized the need for a comprehensive mechanism for ensuring production of detained persons before a magistrate within 24 hours. The AGP assured that such a mechanism would be developed and placed before the committee in its next meeting.
The committee also commended the high courts for formulating standard operating procedures (SOPs) to safeguard judicial independence but emphasized the inclusion of stage-wise timelines from complaint filing to final action.
It was decided that all such instances of extraneous influence shall be reported within 24 hours and action thereon shall be finalised within 14 days. The SOPs should also provide for immediate redressal measures to safeguard the dignity of the complainant judge.
Additionally, a reporting mechanism to the CJP was desired for information and intervention, where necessary. The high courts shall notify the SOPs and share the same with the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP).
The committee appreciated the substantial progress achieved by the high courts in strengthening the commercial litigation framework, acknowledging the CLC initiative as a major step toward fostering a robust and efficient commercial litigation framework.
To address the problem of protracted litigation and injunctive orders in commercial, revenue, and fiscal cases, a committee was formed to draft recommendations.
The committee led by Supreme Court judge Shafi Siddiqui, includes Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh of the Lahore High Court, Justice Agha Faisal, of the Sindh High Court, Justice Arshad Ali of the Peshawar High Court, the AGP and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman.
“The committee shall also examine the suggestion of the AGP in respect of issues arising out of Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and place its recommendations in the next meeting,” the statement said.
The NJPMC expressed its appreciation for the progress made by the SHC and the PHC in establishing model criminal trial courts. It noted that these efforts would significantly contribute to enhancing access to justice and ensure its effective and timely delivery.
It was further observed that such initiatives reflect strong institutional commitment to continuous improvement for making the justice system citizen-centric.
The forum, while appreciating the efforts made by the LHC in establishing model civil courts, decided that the high courts may pilot the initiative for oldest civil cases in chronological order.
“The high courts may determine the number of model civil courts in each district keeping in view the number of target cases. The district and session judges may assign such cases to model civil courts under a time bound trial regime,” it added.
The committee also deliberated on jail reforms and resolved to share the reports of Provincial Sub-Committees and the Prison Reform Action Plan with the high courts for input. A National Prison Policy will be formulated and placed before the next meeting.
