ISLAMABAD: The Senate will transform itself into a committee of the whole house on Wednesday (today) to continue discussion on proposals to reform judiciary for dispensing speedy and inexpensive justice.

Members will discuss the recommendations already submitted by senators and other stakeholders. Suggestions for judicial reforms have already been circulated to enable senators to take part in the debate.

Agenda of the meeting includes a public hearing by various experts and stakeholders who will recommend ways and means to improving the justice system.

Those invited for the meeting are former senator and senior lawyer S.M. Zafar, former secretary law, justice and human rights Abdul Malik Ghauri and Secretary Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan Muhammad Sarwar Khan.

Suggestions submitted include legislation to subject state agencies to oversight and control and bring these under the ambit of law in view of widespread criticism, especially in reference to missing persons and enforced disappearances.

Recommendations to bring agencies under the ambit of law had been made by PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar, who is of the view: “Judicial reforms will be incomplete without providing legal remedy to victims of enforced disappearances”. He based his proposal on a report of the Commission on Enforced Disappearances which had stated that such legislation was the only way to put to an end the growing incidents of missing persons.

Members will also discuss a proposed legislation to prevent torture and protect the rights of those in custody.

“Our thrust has been more on enhancing powers of judges rather than correcting the criminal justice system. Issues of independence of judges, appointment of judges and expanding suo motu jurisdiction had been pursued far more vigorously than addressing issues for speedy and inexpensive justice,” Mr Babar has stated in his recommendations.

Mr Babar has also proposed revisiting the current procedure for the appointment of judges of superior judiciary.

Senators are expected to discuss witness protection programme, alternate dispute resolution mechanisms, issues of under-trial prisoners and setting up a Constitution Court with equal representation from all the provinces to address constitutional issues.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2015

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