The Federal Minister for Law and Justice Muhammad Farogh Naseem has announced plans to introduce amendments in the civil law to speed up the pace of pending cases, improving the efficiency of the judicial system.
Addressing a press briefing, the minister said that a three-phase mechanism to monitor civil cases would be introduced for their early disposal.
In the first track, the minister said that the main cases will be heard, while in the second phase other matters pertaining to stay orders and receivership would be addressed, and in the final stage, evidence would be recorded.
Naseem said that a panel of well-reputed lawyers would be constituted to collect the evidence that could save the court’s time.
“We need the active contribution of lawyers from across the country,” he added.
The minister said that the whole procedure from filing of a civil case to giving defence should be done within 75 days.
The issue could be framed within 30 days, and 15 to 20 days would be given for witnesses and evidence.
To save the time of the court, the minister said that the commission will record mandatory evidence within 90 days, and soon after the judgment of the court, implementation should be take place without wasting time.
Giving reference of the Supreme Court, the minister said if any judgment was reserved, it should be announced within three months, and after the judgment, it is not necessary to pass a decree.
Naseem said that two appeals are available against the decision of the civil judge: one in the high court and the other in the Supreme Court.
“If we streamline all these things, one trial will be completed within 12 to 13 months,” he said.
To a question, the justice minister said that he hopes the Sindh government will also review these amendments, as the Sindh Advocate General has agreed to them, leaving it to the Provincial Assembly to take it up.
To another question, Naseem said that the draft regarding Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) law, pending for last nine years, has now been completed and would be sent to the interior ministry, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
He said that a meeting on the MLA draft will be held during next week, following which the ministry of law and justice will decide whether to table the bill in Parliament or to send for ordinance.
Naseem also said that there is a dire need of change in the accountability law to empower the NAB, adding that the government will not introduce any law amendment that may create obstacles for the NAB to target corrupt elements.
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