Senate committee raises concern over 58 unimplemented law reform recommendations

The meeting of Senate standing committee on Law and Justice held under Senator Farooq H Naek to review the performance of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan. 

The commission briefed that it had approved 143 law reform reports, of which, 46 recommendations were implemented. 33 were partially implemented and 58 have yet to be implemented. 

The commissions secretary said that some recommended changes are affected by changes in legislation, while the committee expressed concern over the large number of recommendations that were still not implemented partially or completely. 

Farooq Naek said that there is a need to incorporate a follow-up mechanism to address this issue. 

The committee sought a detailed implementation report on the recommendations, along with details of the approved and existing strength of the Law and Justice Commission’s staff. 

The committee also expressed concerns about the delay in the promotion of the commission’s staff. 

Case management, fixing, and pendency was also discussed in detail, while the commission clarified that individual case fixing did not fall under its mandate. 

The chairman said that effective case management is an imperative pillar of timely justice. 

Furthermore, the e-filing reforms were reviewed and the committee stressed on digital reforms to facilitate litigants and lawyers. 

The meeting  also briefed the Access of Justice Development Fund. As per the briefing, the fund had an initial capital of Rs. 1421 million in 2005 and after earning income on investment, it now amounted to Rs. 4057.14 million by June 30. 

The proposal to establish Women Facilitation Centers in district courts was also discussed.  The committee decided to hold further consultations with specific provinces and relevant stakeholders on case management.