SHC seeks comments on plea seeking central judicial complex, better facilities in courts

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday issued notices to the provincial government, federal and provincial law officers and others seeking central judicial system in the city.

The petitioner, Zia Awan, submitted in the petition that there were several critical issues within Karachi’s judicial infrastructure, including poorly distributed courts, rampant corruption, slow and ineffective bailiff system, ineffective security systems, lack of fire safety equipment, insufficient restroom facilities and inadequate provisions for differently-abled individuals.

He cited an initiative by former chief justice Qazi Faez Isa to relocate all federal courts in Karachi to one building and submitted that Justice Isa’s vision laid the foundation for improving judicial processes and enhancing coordination among courts.

He also mentioned the ongoing work under the leadership of Lahore High Court Chief Justice Neelam Munir for establishing a central judicial complex in Lahore as an exemplary model. He submitted that regionally, India also had central judicial complexes in Delhi and Mumbai, where special programmes for witness protection had been initiated, along with facilities like ramps, designated seating and accessible washrooms for people with disabilities. All these steps served as guidance for the proposed reforms in Karachi’s courts, the petitioner argued.

He submitted that developed countries like the United States and United Kingdom already had such systems in place. He suggested that a judicial complex be constructed to streamline access to justice for litigants, lawyers and judicial staff, while reducing unnecessary delays in judicial proceedings.

He requested the high court to direct the authorities concerned to remove encroachments within court premises, improving sanitation and ensuring proper parking arrangements until the central judicial complex was constructed.

He stressed the importance of creating a safe environment for female lawyers and litigants and suggested providing green spaces and facilities to reduce stress and promote mental well-being of the judicial staff.

The petitioner also pointed out an urgent need for installing modern fire safety systems, including fire extinguishers, alarms and emergency exits, to safeguard lives and minimise potential damage in case of fires.

The petitioner submitted that there were flaws in the bailiff system in Karachi’s judiciary and recommended measures to address them in his petition.

He said the role of the bailiff in the judicial system was of great importance as they ensured compliance with and enforcement of court orders. He requested the SHC to establish a sub-office based on anti-corruption within the high court’s MIT branch immediately, followed by the creation of a separate branch at the central judicial complex, to deal with the complaints against judicial staff.

A division bench of the SHC headed by Justice Agha Faisal after the preliminary hearing of the petition issued notices to the provincial government, federal and provincial law officers, Sindh inspector general of police, bar council and associations and called their comments on April 22.