Judicial Policy Sets Strict Timeframes for Case Disposal Across Pakistan

Islamabad: The National Judicial Policymaking Committee (NJPMC), under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi, has approved a new set of timelines for the disposal of various types of legal cases in an effort to expedite justice delivery in the country.
In a high-level meeting attended by Chief Justices of all High Courts and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, the committee approved a timeline framework aiming to resolve:
Property and murder cases** within **24 months
Inheritance, public revenue, and financial disputes** within **12 months
Tenancy, family claims, labor, and juvenile criminal cases within 6 months
Banking court decree cases** within **12 months
Criminal trials involving sentences up to 7 years** within *12 months*, and those over 7 years within **18 months
The meeting emphasized the need for a **comprehensive mechanism** to ensure that any detained person is presented before a magistrate within **24 hours**, with the Attorney General assuring that a proposal will be presented at the next meeting.
The committee also reviewed SOPs to address **external interference in judicial affairs**, stressing that such incidents must be reported within **24 hours** and acted upon within **14 days**, while maintaining the dignity of the reporting judge.
A special subcommittee, led by Supreme Court Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and including Justices Abid Aziz Sheikh (Lahore High Court), Agha Faisal (Sindh High Court), and Arshad Ali (Peshawar High Court), worked on the commercial litigation framework.
The committee appreciated the efforts of the High Courts and formally **approved the time-bound case disposal policy** for nationwide implementation.

Government Announces Rs. 2 Billion Grant for Access to Justice Development Fund
In a related development, the **Governing Body of the Access to Justice Development Fund**, also chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, held a separate meeting.
The federal government announced a **Rs. 2 billion grant** for the fund aimed at improving judicial infrastructure and legal aid.
The committee approved:
**Rs. 631.57 million** for women’s facilitation projects in **Sindh and Balochistan High Courts**
* **Rs. 317 million** for development projects in **Sindh, Lahore, Balochistan, and Peshawar High Courts**
* **Solarization and e-library projects** for underdeveloped district courts
* **Free legal aid** for eligible litigants in the **Supreme Court and High Courts**
Chief Justice Afridi reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring **sustainable and inclusive access to justice** across Pakistan.