ISLAMABAD, July 12: A meeting called to review establishment of family courts in the country on Wednesday decided to induct women as civil judges and judicial magistrates.
Presided over by Registrar Supreme Court Dr Faqir Hussain, the meeting unanimously decided that the representatives of provincial governments would convene meetings with the respective high courts to work out the logistic involved in creating a new post for women to be appointed as judges of the family courts.
It was also decided that while making requisition of posts, the high courts should consider the pendency of family cases.
It was decided that the statutory requirement regarding establishment of family courts and appointment of at least one female judge to preside over family court in each district would be met by each provincial government.
The meeting was also attended by the provincial chief secretaries, secretaries law, home and finance departments of the provinces and registrars of the high courts.
Dr Faqir Hussain highlighted the objectives and scope of enactment of West Pakistan Family Court Act, 1964, and elaborated different provisions of the act.
The participants were briefed that the main object of the act was to establish family courts for expeditious settlement and disposal of disputes relating to marriage, family affairs and matters connected therewith.
The attention of representative of provincial governments was also invited towards the statutory obligation of provincial governments to establish one or more family courts in each district and further that at least one family court be presided over by a woman judge.
During the discussion, the representatives of the high courts stated that the issue of establishment of family courts in each district had already been taken up with the respective governments and was actively being pursued.
The representatives of the Punjab and Sindh informed the meeting that their governments had realised the importance of family courts and their role in the inexpensive, expeditious and hassle-free settlement of family disputes.
The provincial governments affirmed their commitment to fulfil this statutory obligation regarding establishment of family courts in each district to be presided over by a female judge.
In this respect proposals have already been made and submitted to the competent authorities for approval.
The Balochistan chief secretary, during the meeting, explained that in view of paucity of family cases in different district of the province, it was not feasible for the government to sanction a new post of female judge for each district.
However, he suggested that instead of establishing a family court in each district, it would be more appropriate that family courts be established at divisional headquarters of the defunct administrative divisions.
The NWFP representative highlighted the problems being faced by the provincial government due to application of different laws in different areas of the province.
It was informed that the government had already sanctioned posts for appointment of civil judges, which were lying vacant. He was of the opinion that if the sanctioned posts were filled in, the high court could utilise their services by designating them as family judge.