The Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) has called for amendment in the Act of Islamabad High Court (IHC) for increasing strength of its judges from existing seven to 17 for early disposal of the cases.
IHCBA President Ashraf Gujjar, while talking to APP on Sunday, said litigants were facing problems as a number of cases were increasing day by day in the court.
He said that more than 8,000 cases were pending in the IHC, which required that the strength of judges should be raised and the Bar would also write a letter to the Prime Minister for the purpose. Gujjar said that the bar would also contact the other political parties for amendment in the Islamabad High Court Act passed by the Parliament in 2010 under the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
He said that according to the 18th Amendment, the Islamabad High Court shall consist of a Chief Justice and six other judges, however, presently six judges, including the Chief Justice, were performing their duties and one office of judge is vacant. Answering a query about the allotment of five acres land to the IHC, Ashraf Gujjar said that it was a good step of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). However, the IHC required another 3 acres piece of land for smooth functioning.
He said that in new building there should be proper space for bar room, car parking and sitting area for litigants and added that it would be constructed keeping in view next 15-year requirements. The Bar would also extend it proposals in designing of the High Court building, he added.