TAXILA: Court proceedings are being digitised as this would help in the prompt disposal of cases, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Qasim Ali Khan said whilst addressing the Taxila bar on Friday.

Courts records of Rawalpindi courts have already been digitised and the rest throughout the province will soon follow suit, he said, adding, the traditional system of keeping a record bag has become obsolete but with the establishment of a digital record room at the judicial complex in Rawalpindi, records could be accessed in minutes.

He said the judiciary and the bench should utilise their resources while remaining in legal framework for dispensation of prompt justice to litigants, adding, societies wherein rule of law prevails are the ones that progress and in this pursuit, the judiciary’s duty is to make sure each citizen is given their rights.

He directed the judiciary to hear all cases, as it is the duty of judicial officers along with the legal fraternity to minimise problems and issues being faced by litigants. Mr Khan also instructed judges to utilise all possible resources for early provision of justice to masses. It is our priority to remove obstacles in the way of timely dispensation of justice henceforth, the legal community should submit a proposal for establishment of a new court complex for Taxila.

He said courts, chambers and residences of judicial officers would be established in the new complex, adding, every bar across the district would get a Rs1 million grant, during this month so that issues could be addressed.

In his welcome address, president of Taxila Bar Association Malik Sajjad Hussain apprised the chief justice about problems being faced by the legal fraternity for instance, the lack of chambers, court rooms and parking facilities.

Afterwards, Mr Khan performed the ground breaking ceremony for establishment of a water filtration plant at the judicial complex to provide clean drinking water to lawyers and litigants.

The project, worth Rs4 million, will be completed during the current fiscal year.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2020