Special courts for expats get government nod

Governor claims the move will help expedite cases of overseas Pakistanis

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has decided to set up special courts in Punjab for the provision of timely justice to overseas Pakistanis.

Proposals are also being considered, including allowing overseas Pakistanis to record statements in their cases through video link.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar has said the special courts would also ensure that the cases of expatriates do not go through any inordinate delay and there would be a specific timeframe for each case.

“Overseas Pakistanis are the asset of the nation and resolving their problems is the priority of the government, adding that role of the judiciary, including the Lahore High Court Chief Justice, in providing justice to overseas Pakistanis is commendable,” he lauded.

An important meeting on resolving the problems of Overseas Pakistanis and setting up special courts for their cases was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar at the Governor House Lahore.

Additional Chief Secretary Punjab Iram Bukhari, Law Secretary Bahadur Ali Khan were also present on the occasion. District Judiciary DG Wajeehullah Kundwi, Saeedullah Mughal, Lahore High Court Deputy Registrar and Overseas Commission Punjab Arif Javed, overseas commissioner Khadim Abbas, Vice Chairman Overseas Commission Wasim Ramay, DG overseas Ishratullah, Legal Overseas Commission Director Raja Zubair and Principal Secretary to Governor Punjab Dr Rashid Mansoor were present among others on the occasion.

Additional Chief Secretary Punjab Iram Bukhari told the participants of the meeting that all the provincial departments are working together to solve the problems of overseas Pakistanis and we are ready for any cooperation including setting up of special courts. Overseas Commission Punjab Vice Chairman Muhammad Waseem Ramey apprised the meeting about the steps taken to solve the problems of Overseas Pakistanis and the Governor Punjab appreciated the work of Additional Chief Secretary Punjab Iram Bukhari and Muhammad Waseem. It was decided in the meeting that today (Thursday) Overseas Commission Punjab Vice Chairman Muhammad Waseem Rame along with the concerned officials would meet the Law Secretary in his office and finalize matters regarding the steps including setting up of special courts.

"We are proud of the role played by Overseas Pakistanis in Pakistan's economic strength despite the Coronavirus Crisis," Sarwar said.

He said the government would address all the problems of overseas Pakistanis on a priority basis, he added.

“The judiciary is working exclusively to hear the cases of overseas Pakistanis, but the establishment of special courts is the need of the hour, so we have decided to set up special courts for overseas Pakistanis.”

Chaudhry Sarwar said all measures including amendment in law would be made to provide timely justice to overseas Pakistanis.

“The government will not leave overseas Pakistanis alone on any forum. The special courts will ensure that there is no inordinate delay in the provision of justice and time limit will be set for deciding cases,” he concluded.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 15^th, 2021.