PESHAWAR: In the wake of surge in Covid-19 cases, Peshawar High Court on Wednesday issued guidelines to the district courts and directed them to give priority to urgent nature of cases.

In the guidelines released by the registrar of high court, Khawaja Wajihuddin, the categories of urgent cases have been described for the courts of district and sessions judges and civil judges-cum-judicial magistrates.

For the courts of district and sessions judges, the urgent nature cases include cases wherein directions have been issued for early hearing by the high court; pre and post arrest bail applications; habeas corpus petitions; applications under section 22-A and 22-B of Code of Criminal Procedure (Justice of Peace); cases intended to be decided on basis of compromise or withdrawal; cases at final arguments; custody cases; target cases under five-year plan; and revision petitions.

Similarly, the urgent civil cases for courts of civil judges-cum-judicial magistrates include suit for declaration (relating to legal heirs); civil cases wherein statements of last one or two witnesses have to be recorded; stay applications; rent petitions; family cases; cases at final arguments; cases intended to be decided on basis of withdrawal or compromise; target cases under five-year plan; cases in which directions have been given for early hearing by PHC or by Supreme Court.

The guidelines state that courts should employ techniques for ensuring remote presence through application of information and communication technology-based devices on their disposal.

The high court has directed that Covid-19 precautionary instructions should be observed on court premises.

It has said that the district judges should convene meeting of bar presidents and general secretaries to discuss and apprise them of these measures.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2021