First juvenile court inaugurated in city
Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M Shaikh inaugurated a child court at the Malir district court on Tuesday.
Two juvenile courts have been established to expedite provision of justice in cases involving children, according to a statement issued on the day.
The effort aims at providing speedy justice to kids in contact or conflict with the law as envisaged in the Juvenile Justice System Act (JJSA) 2018 and the Constitution of Pakistan.
The SHC with the assistance of Group Development Pakistan (GDP) - a civil society organisation working for the protection and promotion of child rights across the country - transformed the physical spaces to make the child court premises kids-friendly to reduce stress among children.
The juvenile court has also been equipped with toys and books to create a relaxing environment for kids to help them deal with the mental pressure and trauma of court visits.
The new facility would also protect children from coming face to face with the offenders facing trial at the courts.
According to the statement, in accordance with JJSA 2018, a total of nine Juvenile Justice Committees have been notified by the government out of which only one has been notified by the Sindh government.
Taking the criminal justice reform agenda forward, another child court will be inaugurated at the East district court on February 24 (today).
Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2021.