LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Anwarul Haq has directed all district and sessions judges in Punjab to ensure a preferential treatment for early disposal of cases of ‘differently abled’ persons in their respective domains.

A circular issued with a subject “Rehabilitation of people with disabilities under the Disabled Persons (employment & rehabilitation) Ordinance 1981” carries the direction for the D&SJs to treat the cases moved by disabled persons on priority.

The directive relies on clause 1 of section 2(a) of the ordinance that provides standard of care for the ‘differently abled’ to the effect that “the government will take steps to zero tolerance with regard to any type, nature, behaviour or mishandling of person with disabilities by any person, department, private or public organisation and make sure the utmost respect and access to them.”

The circular adds, “You are directed to ensure a preferential treatment for early hearing of all the cases of disabled persons in your district, on applications to be filed by them and followed by an order of the concerned court as regard the status of such person so defined in view of clause (c) of section 2 of the Ordinance ibid, and also to maintain the data of such persons with a view to strictly complying with the requirements of section 2(A) of ordinance 1981.”

The CJ has already issued direction to make wheelchairs available at all district courts in the province for the facility of the disabled persons visiting the courts.

Earlier, CJ Haq also took an initiative of establishing a first-ever “evening court” of Pakistan in Lahore to deal with cases of family and minors’ custody with a vision to keep children of separated parents away from traditional environment of courts.

He also directed the district judiciary to issue “succession certificate” to applicants within one week. Getting a succession certificate from a court of law usually takes so much time besides agony of visiting courts time and again.

The chief justice had taken notice of the people’s concern and ordered the districts courts to ensure issuance of the succession certificates to applicants within one week and delay in such matters would not be tolerated.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2018