National Judicial Policy Development Committee approves judicial austerity and energy conservation plan
Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi presides over a meeting of the National Judicial Committee (Policy Formulation) at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday. Photo: Supreme Court of Pakistan
In line with the austerity measures announced by the government due to disruption in the supply of petroleum products, Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday also announced similar measures, adopting a four-day work week from Monday to Thursday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a day earlier a series of measures as part of a broader austerity plan to manage the situation arising from fuel shortages linked to the current Middle East crisis following the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran. During a meeting attended by representatives of the federal and provincial governments, the prime minister announced a four-day work week and a work-from-home policy as part of sweeping austerity measures.
According to a statement issued by the Supreme Court, the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) met under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi during a pop-up virtual meeting.
The meeting, attended by the Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court, the Chief Justices of all High Courts and the Attorney General of Pakistan by special invitation, approved a comprehensive ‘Energy Conservation and Judicial Austerity Strategy’ aimed at ensuring responsible use of national resources while maintaining uninterrupted access to justice across the country.
Read: Pakistan expands austerity drive as fuel prices rise and global oil markets become volatile
“It reflects the institution’s proactive response to the anticipated disruption in oil supplies and rising global energy costs, underscoring the judiciary’s commitment to national resilience and institutional accountability.”
Recognizing that the justice sector must lead by example in times of economic and energy uncertainty, “the NJPMC resolved that courts across Pakistan will adopt a series of practical measures designed to reduce fuel consumption, limit operating costs and promote the efficient use of resources without compromising the delivery of justice,” the statement read.
The committee emphasized that these measures represented the judiciary’s institutional commitment to prudent governance, environmental responsibility, and solidarity with the broader national effort to conserve public energy and resources.
“By adopting these measures throughout the judicial system, the NJPMC reaffirmed that access to justice will continue to be uninterrupted, even as the judiciary aligns its internal operations with principles of efficiency, sustainability and responsible administration,” the Supreme Court press release says.
Following the meeting, the high court issued a notification announcing the measures with immediate effect.
“In view of the possible disruption of the supply of petroleum products that will lead to an increase in energy costs, it is imperative to take prudent and responsible measures to conserve resources,” the notification reads.
According to the directives, the court will observe a four-day work week (Monday to Thursday) to reduce fuel consumption and operational expenses. “The court will observe holidays from Friday to Sunday,” he added.
However, while ensuring that urgent judicial and administrative functions continue uninterrupted on Fridays and Saturdays, courts can take necessary internal governance measures taking into account their operational priorities.
Likewise, the district courts would work four days a week (Monday to Thursday) at full capacity, while the respective high courts would keep their human resources to a minimum on Fridays and Saturdays, depending on workload and performance parameters.
The notification said the monthly Petroleum, Petroleum and Lubricants (POL) limit allocated to judges and authorized officials would be reduced by 50%, while additional security or protocol vehicles would be prohibited.
Read also: Sindh announces closure of schools from March 16 to 31 and government staff to work from home on Fridays
“No additional protocols or security vehicles will be deployed during movement within the designated high security zones,” the notification said, adding that the barracks concerned will ensure the security of the route as per the required protocols.
The court also encouraged litigants and lawyers to participate in the proceedings through video conferencing facilities where possible, along with rotating attendance of staff in court.
“Rotating support arrangements for staff, wherever possible, to minimize travel and reduce energy consumption while maintaining essential judicial functions,” he added.
In its statement, the top court also announced similar measures for the Federal Shariat Court and high courts.
“The monthly POL limit allotted to honorable judges of the Federal Shariat Court and high courts will be reduced by 50%, while that of judicial officers by 25%,” he said.
Read more: OGRA dismisses reports of Rs 73 hike on petrol and Rs 84 on diesel as ‘completely baseless’
The court also streamlined security and protocol for the Federal Shariat Court and high courts but allowed an exception in view of the recent security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“While the Federal Shariat Court and high courts will streamline security and protocol, the honorable judges and judicial officers serving Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan will maintain their security as per the circumstances.”
