PHOTO:FILE
The only court dealing with narcotics cases has virtually become dysfunctional. The lone judge, lawyers and litigants are equally facing hardships due to the manpower shortage.
Since its establishment on Jan 1, 2015, almost all posts, including special prosecutor’s, remain vacant. As a result, bail applications are piling up and gathering dust.
The judge of the drug court, Raheel Yousafzai, on Monday, wrote a letter to the Ministry of Law and Justice secretary seeking immediate filling of the vacant posts.
“[The] court is functioning with no staff despite the fact that sanctioned posts are 14 in number for the court.”
According to the letter, the court is being run through stopgap arrangements by providing four persons on a temporary basis. However, he stated, their period expired on March 31, 2016.
The latter says even bail applications could not be disposed of due to non-availability of special prosecutor.
The judge has requested the ministry to provide staff in order to avoid inconvenience to litigants, lawyers and the people.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2016.
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