SC to hear essential cases only amid viral outbreak

Elderly and female court staff advised to work from home

ISLAMABAD: Backtracking from its earlier decision, the Supreme Court has decided to hear only essential cases amid the increasing novel coronavirus cases in the country.

Taking preventive measures against the disease, the top court has advised its staff members over the age of 50 to work from home.

Likewise, the female staff has been advised to stay at home too.

Cases will be heard at the principal seat in Islamabad by three benches and the Karachi and Lahore registries.

“All other cases have been delisted" read a statement issued on Saturday.

On March 19, the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) – an administrative body of superior court judges – had decided in its meeting that courts would remain open at all levels by reducing the judicial workload so that people working in courts or visiting them were not exposed to the risk of contracting COVID-19.

The NJPMC also urged people not to unnecessarily visit court premises unless specifically required by any court.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, who heads the committee, made it clear that “we will not compromise on our judicial system and not let it be derailed by getting panicked as the people of Pakistan have a great deal of confidence in the judicial system so we will never disappoint them.”

SC judge Ijazul Ahsan, who is also chairman of the Supreme Court Health and Safety Committee, was nominated as the focal judge responsible to ensure the implementation of the NJPMC directions.

The meeting resolved that the protocol of health and hygiene would be ensured and adopted at courts.

High courts and district courts will also reduce work by hearing only urgent matters and discouraging the entry of general public. People entering court premises will undergo screening.

During the meeting, the chief justice remarked that the prevailing situation of pandemic in the country required special attention and practical actions. He said the Supreme Court had already issued instructions regarding preventive measures to minimise the spread of COVID-19. “The apex judiciary of the country will ensure and take all the necessary preventive measures for the health and safety of our judges, court staff, lawyers, litigants and other stakeholders all the way to the district and tehsil levels,” he said.

The committee also directed authorities to protect prisoners from being exposed to the risk of coronavirus without denial of their right of family meetings. However, authorities will adopt precautionary measures and regulate the procedure of meetings. It said people visiting jail premises should be examined and properly screened to avoid any threat of infection to the prisoners. If any of the prisoners is found infected, he will be quarantined within jail premises without any delay.