In a shocking revelation, 808 courts in Punjab remained closed due to lack of judges while 1153 courts across the country remain inactive due to shortage of judges, reported 25NewsHD TV Channel.
648 posts of family and civil judges are vacant across Punjab including Lahore. According to official figures, the number of pending cases in district judiciary across the country including Lahore has crossed 2 million. According to sources, due to severe shortage of judges, thousands of citizens are deprived of timely justice and the judicial system has come under severe pressure.
According to document, 648 posts of family and civil judges were vacant across Punjab while pending cases in district judiciary across the country including Lahore exceed 2 million. 89 courts in Sindh, 78 in Balochistan awaiting appointment of judges. 149 courts under the jurisdiction of Peshawar High Court remain inactive while 126 civil and family courts are also lack judges. 29 courts in the district judiciary of Islamabad remain inactive due to lack of judges. 70 civil and family judge posts vacant in Sindh, 58 in Balochistan.
Legal experts say due to the long-standing vacancies of judges, the number of pending cases is continuously increasing, which is not only causing mental and financial difficulties to the litigants but is also affecting public confidence in the judicial system. Legal circles have demanded that the federal and provincial governments as well as the relevant high courts make immediate appointments to the vacant posts so that the inactive courts can be made active and justice can be provided to the public in a timely and effective manner.
Reporter: Malik Ashraf