Coronavirus challenge: NJPMC meeting to devise strategy for courts on Thursday

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed Monday called an emergency meeting of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) on Thursday to devise effective strategy for courts.

According to the press statement issued by the PRO Supreme Court, to minimize spread of coronavirus the apex court has been issuing circulars, guidelines and advisories from time to time for staff, lawyers, litigants and security personnel in the court offices all over Pakistan.

Keeping in view the sensitivity and seriousness of the issue the additional preventive measures in the vicinity of the Supreme Court Building have been taken with a view to avert the potential threat of infection to the judges, staff, lawyers, litigants, and security staff.

To take stock of the preventive measures at the High Courts, and the District Courts' level, the chief justice has called emergency meeting of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) on Thursday, 19 March 2020 at 4pm at the Supreme Court Islamabad to discuss the issue at length, and devise effective strategy for the courts.

As a part of additional precautionary measures, litigants represented by their counsels have been advised to avoid entering in the Supreme Court premises to escape overcrowding.

However, respondents and in-person petitioners/parties may attend the court as and when summoned.

In Supreme Court building, wash basins along with liquid soap dispensers have been installed at all entry gates, so that people can enter into the building after washing/cleaning their hands.

Fumigation has been done to disinfect the building.

Biometric attendance of the staff has been suspended.

Medical staff has been deputed at all entry points to monitor the temperature of every person regularly through infrared thermometers, while entering the Supreme Court building.

The employees have been advised to wash their hands properly prior to joining their work or after receiving any file or document, and avoid shaking hands/physical contact with office colleagues and use face masks.

Sanitizer dispensers have been installed in every nook and corner of the building.