- The Judiciary Committee cuts the POL ceiling for judges.
- Video link hearings are encouraged to reduce travel.
- Staff rotation introduced to minimize commuting.
A bijudicial committee on Tuesday approved a series of energy-saving measures, including a four-day work week and cuts in fuel allowances, for the courts as Pakistan moves to curb the impact of rising fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict.
The new virtual meeting of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC), chaired by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi, was attended by the Chief Justices of the Federal Shariat Court and the High Courts, while the Attorney General of Pakistan joined on special invitation, read a statement issued by the apex court.
The committee approved a comprehensive legal downsizing and energy conservation strategy to ensure responsible use of national resources while maintaining uninterrupted access to courts throughout the country.
The move comes in response to expected oil supply disruptions and rising energy costs, reflecting the judiciary’s “commitment to national resilience and institutional responsibility”.
Among the key steps approved is a four-day working week from Monday to Thursday for the Federal Sharia Court and all high courts.
“However, while ensuring that urgent judicial and administrative functions continue without interruption on Fridays and Saturdays, the courts may take necessary internal management measures keeping in mind their operational priorities,” the communication read.
The District Courts will also operate at full capacity from Monday to Thursday, while the relevant High Courts will keep staff to a minimum on Fridays and Saturdays depending on workload and performance requirements.
The committee also decided to reduce the monthly limit on oil, petroleum and lubricants (POL) allocated to judges in the FCC and the high courts by 50%, while judicial officers will see a 25% reduction.
It also announced that no additional protocol or security vehicles will be deployed during movement within designated high-security zones, although route security will continue according to existing requirements.
“The honorable judges and judicial officers serving in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan shall maintain their security as the case may be,” the court said.
To reduce fuel consumption, litigants and lawyers will be encouraged to attend hearings through video link facilities wherever possible, “including through the premises of High Courts and District Courts”.
The Federal Sharia Court and the Supreme Court have been ordered to introduce staff rotation to minimize commuting while maintaining essential court operations.
Meanwhile, the federal government has decided that the extra weekly public holiday will be observed on Friday.
The development came to light during a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on austerity and fuel conservation.
The confirmation for the extra week’s holiday comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz announced a sweeping austerity and austerity plan.
