PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Paksitan Mian Saqib Nisar said that none of the SCO members want their countries to be safe havens for terrorists. He expressed these thoughts while addressing the opening ceremony of the 13th Conference of the Presidents of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s member states on Friday.
“None of us wants our countries to be safe havens for terrorists, for terrorist financing, for white collar crimes, or for cybercrimes”, said the CJP. He added that these were just a few of the crimes that don’t respect territorial border and the reach of such offences, offenders is not confined to just one nation which necessitates the need for global cooperation.
Moreover discussing the role of SCO in combating such threats, the chief justice added, “This forum will allow us to take concrete steps for improved mechanisms for mutual recognition and enforcement of judicial decisions within the member states. When decisions rendered by the judiciary of one member state are respected and enforced in another it will restrict the space for those elements in our society who work towards undermining the forces of progress.”
The CJP also welcomed the dignitaries and lauded the efforts of SCO in bringing the higher judiciary of all its members together on a single platform are very commendable.
“The regional social fabric is being eroded through divisive forces. We live in an age where the “other” is viewed with suspicion. But such forums help to counter this insularity by allowing us to make friends”, he said adding the SCO will allow mutual legal assistance, the sharing of best practices, developing regional dispute resolution mechanisms and extension of extension judicial cooperation which will advance peace and stability in this region.
Talking more on the regional importance of the conference, the top judge exclaimed that all members are gathered here to find ways for ensuring greater cooperation between member states to combat terrorism and curtail threats lurking to border security.
“In order to counter these menaces all of us need to forge strong bonds so to leave no space for offenders. Common policies, uniform laws, pooled wisdom and shared data are the weapons in our arsenal”, he added.
Discussing the Informatisation of courts and the development of Smart Court, the Chief Justice of Pakistan gave them an overview of court automation in Pakistan and ADR that the disposal of cases through mediation and Alternate Dispute Resolution is being encouraged.
“The setting up of smart courts is our long-term objective i.e. electronically operating courts aimed at strengthening e-justice services, improving access to justice through legal aid and ADR systems”, highlighted the top judge.
Enlightening the conference about the mechanism of this initiative, CJP Nisar said that smart courts will be set up in the form of commercial courts which will decide matters related to the CPEC and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through mediation and ADR techniques on a fast track basis, thus providing quick redressal to investors, which will help Pakistan reassure and give confidence to foreign investors in Pakistani courts.
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