The state’s judicial policy committee voted unanimously that all district judges’ vehicles should display a monogram along with the judges’ designations.

In addition, the Committee decided that District Magistrates would be exempted from keeping log books, but that they must comply with the prescribed fuel limits for official vehicles under existing laws.

The meeting of the State Judicial Policy Committee was held on Thursday under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court Justice Raja Saeed Akram Khan.

The committee also discussed the establishment of consumer courts in Azad Kashmir and unanimously agreed that their establishment was necessary. The Law Secretary was tasked with providing an update.

The Additional Legal Secretary informed the committee that in 2015 a draft law for the establishment of these courts had been drawn up, but due to a financial crisis it had not been presented to the cabinet. The law secretary was ordered to present the draft law at the next meeting.

The meeting was attended by Supreme Court Justice Khawaja Muhammad Naseem, Supreme Court Justice Sadaqat Hussain Raja, Senior Judge of Supreme Court Justice Sardar Liaquat Shaheen, the Registrar and other senior officials.

Supreme Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram welcomed all members.

In his opening remarks, the Chief Justice emphasized that the State Judicial Policy Committee is the largest forum of the higher judiciary and its decisions are binding on all state institutions.

He pointed out that the main objective of the forum was to ensure speedy and effective delivery of justice to the public. He mentioned that the committee has decided to review issues of obstruction of justice.

The High Court has administrative control over both the High Court and the subordinate judiciary, and any decision made by the State’s Judicial Policy Committee regarding the subordinate judiciary is implemented through the High Court itself.

The chief justice expressed hope that the committee’s decisions would improve judicial performance and contribute to a more efficient and timely administration of justice.

The committee reviewed and unanimously approved all items on the agenda, including those relating to former district judges. The committee discussed issues relating to former cadre district judges.