CCTV cameras, walkthrough gates not functioning in district courts, police inform SHC

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has taken exception to lack of proper infrastructure in district courts and directed its registrar to submit a progress report with regard to infrastructure of district and sessions courts in Karachi.

The observation came during the hearing of a petition seeking a central judicial system in the city and proper infrastructure of the district courts equipped with modern facilities. A division bench of the high court headed by Justice Agha Faisal observed that the City SSP had also filed a report expressing concern over non-functioning CCTV cameras and walkthrough gates in the district courts and proposed steps to resolve these issues.

The police also said that their suggestions should be implemented in the best interest of the lawyers and litigants keeping in view threats after the recent tensions between Pakistan and India.

The SHC observed that focal persons had filed their respective reports with regard to the encroachments in the City Courts, presence of touts and beggars, and parking issues, which should be resolved on a priority basis.

The high court observed that a report with regard to infrastructure facilities in the districts courts in Karachi had not been placed by the registrar office, which had been noted with regret. The bench directed the office to ensure that same be placed prior to the next hearing.

The SHC observed that it needed to examine the reports that had been filed before it issued an appropriate order. The petitioner, Zia Awan, had submitted that issues of non-operational security apparatus and lack of proper infrastructure in the City Courts was alarming and needed to be resolved immediately.

He had 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 had requested the high court to direct the authorities concerned to remove encroachments from the court premises, improve sanitation and ensure proper parking arrangements until the central judicial complex was constructed. He had 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 had 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 had submitted that unless these issues were resolved on a war footing basis, the dispensation of justice shall be prejudiced as the City Courts were the courts of first instance and primary recourse of the litigants.