- Judiciary committee cuts POL cap for judges.
- Video conference hearings are encouraged to reduce travel.
- Staff rotation was introduced to minimize travel.
A top judicial committee on Tuesday approved a series of energy conservation measures, including a four-day work week and a cut in fuel allowance, for the courts as Pakistan tries to curb the impact of rising fuel prices amid the Middle East conflict.
The emerging virtual meeting of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC), chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, was attended by the Chief Justices of the Federal Shariat Court and 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 judicial austerity and energy conservation strategy to ensure the responsible use of national resources while maintaining uninterrupted access to justice throughout the country.
The move comes in response to the expected disruption in oil supplies and rising energy costs, reflecting the judiciary’s “commitment to national resilience and institutional accountability.”
Among the key measures approved is a four-day working week, Monday to Thursday, for the Federal Shariat Court and all high courts.
“However, while ensuring that urgent judicial and administrative functions continue uninterrupted on Fridays and Saturdays, courts may take necessary internal governance measures taking into account their operational priorities,” the statement read.
District courts will also operate at full capacity from Monday to Thursday, while relevant high courts will keep staff at a minimum on Fridays and Saturdays, depending on workload and performance requirements.
The committee also decided to reduce the monthly Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) limit assigned to FCC judges and superior courts by 50%, while judicial officers will see a 25% reduction.
He also announced that no additional protocols or security vehicles will be deployed during movement within designated high security zones, although security on the routes will continue as per existing requirements.
“The honorable judges and judicial officers serving in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan will maintain their security as per the circumstances,” the judicial body said.
To reduce fuel use, litigants and lawyers will be encouraged to participate in hearings via video conferencing facilities where possible, “including through High Court and District Court facilities.”
The Federal Shariat Court and High Courts have been directed to introduce rotating staff attendance to minimize travel while maintaining essential court operations.
Meanwhile, the federal government has decided that the additional weekly holiday will be observed on Fridays.
The development emerged during a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on austerity and fuel conservation.
The confirmation of the additional weekly holiday comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz announced a sweeping austerity and savings plan.
