The working paper on the establishment of an Appellate Court for the Northern Areas is in the final stages and action is expected within a couple of months, Business Recorder learnt here on Thursday. The proposal has been forwarded by the Ministry of Northern Areas and Kashmir Affairs to the Law and Justice Ministry, which will send it to the Prime Minister for his acceptance.
The new judicial institution will be called Appellate Court and shall be equal in status to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It will consist of three judges and the senior most will act as the chairman.
The current Chief Court will be re-designated as the High Court for Northern Areas and appeals against its decisions will then be heard by the Appellate Court.
The summary will also pass through the Finance Ministry that will have to provide budgetary allocation to meet its expenses.
The official summary estimates a budget of nearly Rs 12 million annually on the new institution, but it is considered worthwhile as it will help people of the sparsely populated Himalayan ranges with easy access to justice.