KARACHI:
The judiciary of Pakistan is facing notable hindrances in providing timely justice. According to the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, 2 million cases are pending and the average number of adjournments is 80. The judiciary’s ineffectiveness is further compounded by a lack of accountability, expensive litigation and intricate court procedures. Justice lays the basis of any civilised society and peace cannot be attained without it.
The pendency of 2 million cases means over 4 million people are waiting for justice. When people think of costly litigation and believe they would need to struggle for years in courts for justice, they do not file cases. Sadly, it is because of this delay in justice that millions of people across the country prefer tolerating cruelty and injustice. It is observed that cases related to politics are given more importance than those of ordinary citizens. Undoubtedly, one reason for it is the blame game in Pakistani politics.
Indeed, if Pakistan needs stability, peace and development, justice is necessary. Therefore, judicial reforms are the need of the hour. These reforms include digitisation of the case management system, fixing timelines for decisions and limiting the maximum adjournments. Alongside this, procedural rules must be amended. In a nutshell, timely justice is an urgent necessity for Pakistan.
Adeel Younis
Sarai Alamgir
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2024.
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