National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Wednesday approved ‘The Alternative Dispute Resolution Bill, 2016’ and The Costs of Litigation Bill, 2016 after detailed discussion.
The NA body met here under the chairmanship of MNA Chaudhary Muhammad Bashir Virk. It was attended by the members including Ali Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Moeen Wattoo, Kiran Haider, Mumtaz Tarar, Syed Naveed Qamar, Iqbal Qaudri, Aisha Syed and Minister for Law and Justice Zahid Hamid.
The committee observed that the bill would help to dispose of the cases in the courts early and would bring more transparency in the judicial system.
During the proceeding, Syed Naveed Qamar said that the cases of murder should not become under ADRB. However, Zahid Hamid said that if the two parties agree on this, then this should come under this law for mediation. Ali Muhammad Khan said that Islam also allows for ‘Qisas’.
The committee also agreed to set minimum Rs2000 fine for any party in litigation in courts for causing a delay in the hearing.
The judge would be authorised to decide that the penalty amount that would be minimum Rs 2000.
Iqbal Qaudri said that if a government official caused a delay in the case hearing, he should also be fined.
On Ali M Khan’s question concerning alleged blasphemy by the missing bloggers, Zahid Hamid said that law in this regard existed, and if anyone has evidence, he could approach the concerned forum.
