The judicial system in Pakistan is a complex and multifaceted institution that plays a pivotal role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all citizens. The system is comprised of a number of different courts and tribunals, each with its own set of powers and responsibilities.
At the apex of the judicial system in Pakistan is the Supreme Court, which serves as the final court of appeal and has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters throughout the country. The Supreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and a number of other judges, who are appointed by the President of Pakistan.
Below the Supreme Court are the High Courts, which are located in each of Pakistan’s four provinces as well as in the federal capital of Islamabad. The High Courts have appellate jurisdiction over all subordinate courts within their respective jurisdictions, as well as original jurisdiction over a wide range of civil and criminal matters.
At the next level down are the District and Session Courts, which are located in each district of the country. These courts have original jurisdiction over a wide range of civil and criminal matters, including family law, property disputes, and criminal trials.
In addition to these courts, there are a number of specialized tribunals and bodies that have been established to deal with specific areas of the law. For example, the Federal Shariat Court has jurisdiction over matters of Islamic law, while the Anti-Terrorism Courts are responsible for handling cases related to terrorism and extremism.
Despite the existence of these various courts and tribunals, the judicial system in Pakistan has faced a number of challenges in recent years. One of the biggest issues has been a backlog of cases, which has led to long delays in the resolution of disputes and a lack of access to justice for many citizens.
To address these challenges, the government of Pakistan has taken a number of steps in recent years to reform the judicial system. These have included the establishment of new courts and tribunals, as well as the introduction of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms like mediation and arbitration.
Overall, the judicial system in Pakistan is a vital component of the country’s legal framework, and plays a critical role in ensuring that justice is served and the rule of law is upheld. While there are certainly challenges that need to be addressed, the government and other stakeholders are working hard to strengthen the system and ensure that it is able to deliver justice to all citizens in a timely and effective manner.