KARACHI, May 18: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, indicating that judiciary is an important pillar of a state, has said that the government fully respects courts and will leave no stone unturned to ensure dispensation of cheaper justice to people. He stated this in his meeting with Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed at the latter’s court chamber here on Tuesday.

Dr Arbab said the Sindh government would provide all facilities for augmentation of judicial system and its promotion so that people could get speedy justice.

He said all efforts would be made for expansion of courts in various cities of the province, establishment of new sections and increase in facilities in the judicial system in view of growing number of the people seeking justice.

The chief minister pointed out that a large number of historic buildings had been constructed before the creation of Pakistan and these buildings still existed. More such buildings, he added, should be constructed to benefit the coming generations.

He held out the assurance that every effort would be made for preservation of old courts and court buildings.

He was informed that the construction of the SHC building had started in 1913 and completed in 1919 at a cost of Rs2.6 million. At present, the high c court’s circuit benches were functioning in Hyderabad, Larkana and Sukkur, while court buildings in various parts of Karachi were required in view of the congestion prevailing in the city courts.

Dr Arbab was informed that two more annexe buildings with ground plus three structure would be constructed within the precincts of the SHC building at a cost of Rs60 million. Besides, an additional floor would be constructed on each of the two existing annexe buildings and would cost Rs1.8 million.

It was stated that Rs25 million would be spent on the construction of a new residential block within the compound of judges’ flats in the city court.

The chief minister was informed that new court buildings had been constructed in Hyderabad, Hala and Tando Allahyar, whereas court buildings would be constructed on the land behind Civic Centre and KBCA building. Plots would be allotted for the very purpose in Gulistan-i-Jauhar or Gulshan-i-Iqbal and other places.

It was decided at the meeting that soon, a building for the Judicial Academy Complex would be constructed in Karachi for which 100 acres of land would be allocated in Education City. The project would cost Rs300 million.

The project would envisage training facilities, classrooms, auditorium, library and computer room, administration block, hostel with 50 two-bed rooms, , mosque, indoor game facilities, residential colony, etc.

It was also decided that a court annexe would be constructed in Hyderabad whereas utilizing the vacant DC House as judicial complex would be examined.

The meeting was attended by judges and registrar of the Sindh High Court, Advocate General and senior lawyers.—APP