ISLAMABAD: The National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) has reaffirmed the necessity of establishing a comprehensive mechanism to ensure the production of detained persons before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest. Besides it also approved uniform timelines for disposing of various case.
The 54th meeting of the NJPMC was held at the Supreme Court under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi. The meeting was attended by the chief justices of all high courts, while the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) participated on special invitation. The committee reviewed the implementation status of decisions taken during its 53rd meeting and deliberated on key policy matters.
Unanimously, the committee reiterated its commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, expediting access to justice, and ensuring efficient justice delivery. In this regard, the committee emphasised the need for a structured mechanism, particularly in cases of enforced disappearances, to ensure detainees are presented before a magistrate within 24 hours.
The AGP assured the committee that such a mechanism would be developed and presented in the next meeting. The forum appreciated his assurance and efforts. Regarding safeguarding judicial independence, the committee commended the high courts for formulating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) but stressed the inclusion of stage-wise timelines from complaint filing to final resolution. It was decided that any instances of external influence the relevant judge must report it within 24 hours, with actions finalised within 14 days.
The SOPs should also provide immediate redressal measures to protect the dignity of the judge concerned. Additionally, a reporting mechanism to the Chief Justice of Pakistan was proposed for necessary intervention. The high courts will notify these SOPs and share them with the Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan.
On strengthening the commercial litigation framework, the committee acknowledged significant progress by the high courts in commercial litigation reforms. To address prolonged litigation and injunctive orders in commercial, revenue and fiscal cases, a sub-committee was formed under Supreme Court Justice Shafi Siddiqui. The committee includes Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh from the Lahore High Court (LHC), Justice Agha Faisal from the Sindh High Court (SHC), Justice Arshad Ali from the Peshawar High Court (PHC), the AGP and Federal Board of Revenue chairman. This committee will also examine the AGP’s suggestions on recognising and enforcing foreign arbitral awards and present recommendations in the next meeting.
The committee approved uniform timelines for disposing of various case categories, which will serve as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for judicial evaluations. The prescribed timelines include declaratory suits for land disputes within 24 months, inheritance disputes within 12 months, injunction suits for land disputes within 6 months, recovery suits for public revenue matters within 12 months, specific performance cases within 18 months, rent cases within 6 months, family suits within 6 months, uncontested succession cases within 2 months, execution petitions for family court decrees within 6 months, banking court decrees within 12 months, civil court decrees within 12 months, rent matters within 3 months, juvenile offender trials within 6 months, criminal trials with punishments up to seven years within 12 months, more severe criminal trials within 18 months, murder trials within 24 months, and labor cases within 6 months.
The committee praised the SHC and PHC for their progress in establishing Model Criminal Trial Courts, noting their role in enhancing timely justice delivery. On court-annexed mediation, the committee recognised advancements in pre-trial mediation and was assured by the AGP that updates on legislative measures for mandatory mediation would be presented in the next meeting.
Regarding district judiciary matters, discussions covered performance evaluation, standardised recruitment, and the establishment of a District Judiciary Policy Forum. The committee decided to include the LHC chief justice in formulating recommendations on these issues. The committee expressed satisfaction with progress on the Professional Excellence Index, acknowledging its role in enhancing judicial standards.
High courts were directed to establish accessible, user-friendly forums at both high court and district court levels for public grievances and information dissemination. Appreciating the LHC’s efforts, the committee encouraged pilot initiatives for resolving the oldest civil cases under a time-bound regime.
On jail reforms, the committee resolved to share provincial sub-committee reports and a Prison Reform Action Plan with high courts for input before finalising a National Prison Policy. Other key issues addressed included suspension of sentences pending appeal under Section 426 CrPC, repatriation of judicial officers from special courts and tribunals, implementation of biometric verification at case institution by the LHC, and hearing bail applications in narcotics cases by division benches. The next NJPMC meeting is scheduled for October 17, 2025.