ISLAMABAD, May 31: The federal capital is likely to get seven special courts as the law ministry has sent the summary to the prime minister in this regard, Dawn has learnt.

According to sources in the ministry, the seven courts – anti-terrorism, banking, special (FIA), drug, control of narcotics substance (CNS), customs and labour – will start functioning by June.

Currently, the litigants in terrorism, banking, drug, CNS and labour cases have to go to Rawalpindi courts.

After the approval of the summary, the federal government in the next step would notify the judges for these courts, said the sources.

They said the federal judicial complex at G-11 was likely to be completed before July to host all the special courts and tribunals.

Nespak, which is constructing the complex, however, has informed the Islamabad High Court administration that it can hand over the completed portion of the building for immediate commencement of the special courts. In case the prime minister approves the establishment of the special courts on time and the federal government notifies the appointment of the judges, the courts would start working from June.

According to documents available with Dawn, the IHC administration on February 15, 2011, had notified 11 special courts and tribunals, including labour, banking, drug, consumer, accountability and anti-terrorism, special judges central and customs and environment protection tribunals.

Requesting anonymity, a senior judicial officer said the 11 special courts, which were notified last year, needed certain approvals from the federal government.

He said the accountability court had already been established and functioning in the first phase, while in the second phase the seven courts would be set up followed, in the third phase, by setting up of environment protection and other tribunals. During the next fiscal year, all the special courts would be in place after which the IHC administration would propose some other courts and tribunals as it wants to make Islamabad judiciary a role model not only for the provinces but also for the entire
region, he added.