A manifesto is a published verbal declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of a political party when it asks the public for their votes to gain power.
In 2013 elections, every political party of Pakistan prepared a manifesto and presented it in front of public for approval. This manifesto is a written promise with the public, stating how the political party will lead them out of their current problematic lives and into prosperity.
Since PML N came out as the largest party after 2013 elections, one has the right to expect that the promises made by PML N in its manifesto will be fulfilled in the earliest possible time frame.
Where promises about economy, job growth, inflation, housing etc. may need ample amount of time and financial resources to fulfill, the promise of speedy justice is merely dependant on the will, priorities and the ability of a government.
In its manifesto in 2013, PML N stated:
“The PML(N) will initiate action in this regard immediately on coming into power so that benefits thereof accrue to the people as soon as possible. The strategy will be two-pronged:
(1) reduce the huge pending backlog of cases at every level; and (2) provide justice at the proverbial ‘doorstep’.
To accelerate disposal of cases, procedures will be greatly simplified. In particular, legislation will be enacted to provide that:
(a) in civil cases, initial trial to be completed within one year, and
appellate proceedings within the following year; and
(b) in criminal cases, trial to be completed within six months and
appeal be decided within one year.
Such legislation will include provisions for day-to-day hearings and award of heavy costs for unjustified delays and frivolous litigation.
The number of judges will be substantially increased. All vacancies will be filled on priority basis.”
Today, almost a year after the PML N government was formed, these promises seem a distant dream. Backlog of cases is huge, judges are still lesser than the requirement, and no legislation has been done to accelerate the disposal of cases as it was promised in PML N’s manifesto.
Instead of having “state-of-the-art equipment and technology” as was promised in the manifesto, session courts still lack basic infrastructure. In many session courts, judges hear cases in rooms which were originally meant to be public toilets.
Instead of being completed in one year, civil cases remain pending for decades. For criminal cases, many cases are not heard for years, and innocent civilians actually become hardcore criminals after suffering jail time for years.
The manifesto also states: “New posts will be created keeping in view pendency of cases at different levels of the judicial hierarchy, the target being to enable an average case to pass through each level within one year. Judges (from the lawyer community) could be appointed on contract basis for a suitable period to help reduce backlog. Necessary support staff and infrastructure, including state-of-the-art equipment and technology, will be provided. In consultation with the judiciary, arrangements will also be made for extended court hours / evening courts, where feasible.”
The reality is that right now at this very moment 496 posts of judges are vacant in subordinate judiciary across country. 174 posts of judges are vacant in Punjab, 84 in Sindh, 112 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 77 in Balochistan and 49 in Islamabad. It is important to mention here that even when these posts are fulfilled, creation of many new posts will be necessary to fulfill the promises of speedy justice made by PML N in its manifesto.
PML N’s manifesto further stated: “In order to bring justice to the doorstep, village panchayats / jirgas (with clearly defined powers and jurisdiction, and qualifications for membership) will be revived for deciding cases relating to minor offences and civil cases involving minor disputes.”
No progress is seen in this regard in the PML N dominated federal and Punjab assemblies. Instead, illegal Jirgas are seen making inhuman decisions to solve disputes and many of our MNA’s are seen as part of these jirgas.
Apart from these, various other promises about repealing old laws and making new ones for speedy justice can be seen in the manifesto but unfortunately the progress after almost a year is zero.
Injustice or delayed justice promotes crime, anarchy and terrorism. It is the weak justice system that forces our sisters and daughters to commit suicides after they are raped. It is this weak justice system that allows criminals to roam free kill, rob and torture our sons and brothers. It is this weak justice system that allows terrorists to run free and kill the innocent citizens of Pakistan.
PML N, we will keep reminding you of your promises.. today, tomorrow and when you come back to us for votes in the next elections.
