Islamabad: The Registrar of the High Court of Balochistan on Tuesday briefed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi and Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court, Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Malakhail on the establishment of e-Courts across the province.
The briefing, held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Branch Registry Quetta, was also attended by Supreme Court Judge Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar.
Judges and members of the legal fraternity from various parts of Balochistan, including Zhob, Ziarat, Gwadar, Chaman, Turbat, Nasirabad and districts of the Makran region, participated through video link.
The e-Courts have been established to facilitate advocates and litigants in pursuing their cases remotely from their respective districts through video-link facilities.
Given the vast geographical spread of Balochistan, long distances between districts and Quetta, difficult terrain, road conditions and law-and-order challenges in certain areas, the initiative is expected to significantly reduce the need for litigants and lawyers to undertake lengthy and costly journeys to the provincial capital.
The initiative will also help ensure timely hearings and make the justice system more accessible, efficient and responsive.
The briefing was informed that video-link equipment had already been installed at locations including Chaman, Khanozai, Muslim Bagh, Pishin, Zhob, Duki, Killa Saifullah, Dera Allah Yar, Dera Murad Jamali, Gwadar, Rakhni in Barkhan, Kohlu, Khuzdar, Turbat, Sibi, Loralai and Quetta.
Installation work at the remaining locations, including Ziarat, Harnai, Mastung, Kalat, Bela, Hub, Nushki, Kharan, Dalbandin, Panjgur, Sariab, Besima, Killa Abdullah, Dhadar, Dera Bugti and Musa Khel, is currently underway.
The delivery of equipment was delayed due to transportation difficulties and road blockades; however, the logistical process is expected to be completed during the current week.
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi appreciated the initiative and observed that technology should be effectively harnessed to overcome geographical barriers and bring the justice system closer to people, particularly those living in remote and underserved areas.
He said the establishment of e-Courts represented a significant step towards providing affordable, timely and convenient access to justice throughout Balochistan.
