ISLAMABAD: City managers are all set to start construction of the first ever judicial complex for district courts in the capital in September, which will have over 90 courts.

Currently, district courts are operating in small rented buildings in F-8, where litigants, lawyers and judicial officers usually face problems.

Now the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is going to set up new proper courts in G-11.

“Islamabad is the only city which lacks proper district courts. So, we are going to start construction of a state of the art judicial complex purely for local courts,” said CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed.

Building to house over 90 courts

Speaking to Dawn, he said the federal government, judiciary and CDA are on same page with regard to this matter.

“Now, we have targeted it. Soon tenders will be called for awarding the contract. Hopefully, formal work will start in September,” the chairman said.

When asked about the earlier plan for setting up temporary pre-fabricated structures for the courts, the CDA chief said that due to security reasons, they had changed the plan and now it had been decided to construct proper buildings for the courts.

Sources said that CDA has completed the PC-I worth Rs1,382 million. According to the PC-I, completion time of the project is one year. Design of the judicial complex has also been completed; the complex will include three buildings.

Meanwhile, according to a press release, an important meeting chaired by the CDA chairman was held at CDA Headquarters, attended by sessions judge (East Islamabad), sessions judge (West), member engineering CDA, deputy commissioner Islamabad and other senior officials.

Participants of the meeting were briefed about construction, design and layout plan of the complex.

“The meeting was briefed on the construction, design, and layout plan of the judicial complex, which includes canteens with proper washrooms for ladies and gents, suitable place for separate parking [Baxshi Khana/temporary place for prisoners] etc.,” the press release stated, adding that the complex building will be designed keeping in view future needs so it can be expanded.

“Furthermore, it was decided at the meeting that a tender will be issued for the construction of the Judicial Complex. The project will be completed in a short period of six months,” it added.

Sources said it was also discussed that due to urgency, the project should be completed within six months instead of one year.

Earlier this year, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah directed the federal government to commence construction work of district courts.

The chief justice had also directed to constitute a committee comprising interior, planning and law and justice secretaries to coordinate for expeditious completion of the district court complex.

Following the IHC orders, it was decided that CDA would get the project completed on priority basis.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2021