GETTING timely justice through courts is unheard of in Pakistan in most cases. Engaging in a legal battle does not only cost you a fortune, but also time and energy, which also run out in the end.

The situation is even worse when it comes to dealing with civil matters. People like me, who have had the misfortune of going to courts seeking justice, can attest to the fact that the lower courts are overburdened with cases, and the judges have no option but to move the hearing to the next date. The process repeats itself until the patience of one of the two parties runs out. And the illegal occupants and the land mafia take advantage of this situation because they know that the courts are overburdened and cannot dispense timely justice.

If we can have special courts for terrorism, accountability and banking, why cannot we have special courts for matters related to property disputes? Not only will the lower courts’ burden be distributed, but justice would also be dispensed timely.

Muhammad Akhtar Malik
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2021