GILGIT, Dec 1: The Northern Areas Court of Appeals has disposed of more than 90 per cent of cases. The chairman of the region’s apex court, Qazi Ehsanullah Qureshi, has reiterated his resolve to provide prompt justice to people of the Northern Areas. He said that the remaining cases would also be decided soon.

However, sources contacted by this correspondent said that despite the prime minister’s directives, the court was still under-staffed, creating problems for people.

They said that the pace of the construction of the judicial complex was slow and judges, who were working in the court, had not been provided staff cars. The sources said that all these matters were pending with the federal finance divisions despite having being sanctioned by the prime minister.

The sources said that the court’s chairman had taken notice of the trial of some Northern Areas’ employees by NAB in Rawalpindi, despite the fact that there is a regional accountability court and judge in the area. They said that the chairman had already sought explanation from the attorney-general and NAB’s chief prosecutor.

They said that the court had also issued bailable warrants for deputy commissioner of Skardu for allegedly embezzling funds set aside for acquisition of land to be distributed as compensation to people displaced by the construction of the Satpara Dam.

They said the Court of Appeals was also working to frame judicial rules and service structure within a year.