Muhammad Wasi Zafar, Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, has said the government has decided in principle to make amendments to various laws, including PPC, CrPC and Rent Control Act etc to simplify the procedure for providing maximum relief to the people and discouraging unnecessary litigation.
For this purpose, suggestions and proposals had been sought from the lawyers community and other stakeholders, he said.
Talking to newsmen at the residence of Hafiz Tahir Jamil, general secretary Pakistan Muslim League (Q), here on Sunday night, he said that the government was also planning to give more powers to district and sessions judges for speedy justice at the district level as well as at the doorsteps of the people.
He ruled out the demand for establishment of Lahore High Court Bench at Faisalabad and said, "this is not possible now."
CASE REGISTRATION: Wasi Zafar said: "The government is contemplating to introduce a foolproof system for ensuring registration of cases in police stations without any delay.
He said that complaints would also be received through e-mail and courier services for the registration of cases in police stations so that the trend of delay in the registration of criminal cases could be eliminated.
Amendments to centuries-old laws, he said, were being made for the convenience of people so that their problems could be resolved and justice could be provided to them within the shortest possible period.
He pointed out that prisoners awarded capital punishments from the sessions courts would not be shifted to death cells till the endorsement of the conviction orders by higher courts.
He said: "There is a dire need for a strong and workable judicial system in the country for which the government is endeavouring on war-footings."
He claimed that the present regime had amended 16 different laws, including anti-terrorism, contempt of court and Hadood Ordinance, which was a major achievement of the government.
Wasi Zafar also stressed the need to strengthen the links between the Bar and the government so that the real objectives could be achieved and the people could be served in professional manners.
He further said that some disgruntled politicians were raising voices in and outside parliament just to please their foreign masters.
"Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has a vision to change the socio-economic pattern of the nation and the present government is trying its best to put the country on path of progress," he added.
Earlier, addressing the members of the Bar Association Jaranwala, he said the government was making strenuous efforts to remove the legal lacunas in the existing laws to ensure speedy dispensation of justice to the needy segments of society. He particularly quoted the amendments in blasphemy law, Hadood and Zina Ordinance and said that amendments have been made to remove their inherent shortcomings without affecting the original spirit of these laws.
About the misuse of Zina Ordinance, he said that duly married couples were challaned and harassed under this law. Now, a Zina case would be registered with the prior approval of the concerned sessions judge. Hence no one could misuse it.
He also stressed close liaison and understanding between Bar and Bench and said that both these institutions must make collaborated efforts to speed up the process for the dispensation of justice.
He also assured full support for the construction of judicial complex, judicial colony and Lawyers' colony at Jaranwala.
Earlier, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Jatoi, president Jaranwala Bar Association, in his address of welcome appreciated the contribution of Wasi Zafar for the cause of human rights. He also pinpointed the problems being confronted by the Bar and Bench and demanded proper rooms for the courts to further improve the overall efficiency of the judiciary.
FACTORY GUTTED: Shahid Weaving Factory was gutted, when a fire broke out in disposed stock at Maqbool Road industrial area, here on Monday.
According to reports, the fire broke out due to negligence of a worker, when he threw away a burning cigarette. The fire brigade rushed to the spot, but stocks and looms had been totally gutted.