ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Law and Justice Standing Committee approved The Alternative Dispute Resolution Bill of 2016 and The Costs of Litigation Bill of 2016 after detailed discussions on Wednesday.
The body met under the chairmanship of National Assembly Member Chaudhary Muhammad Bashir Virk and included Ali Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Moeen Wattoo, Kiran Haider,Mumtaz Tarar, Syed Naveed Qamar, S.A Iqbal Qaudri, Aisha Syed and Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
The committee observed that the bill would help in the early disposition of cases in courts and would also bring more transparency into judicial system.
During the meeting, Naveed Qamar urged for the exclusion of murder cases from the jurisdiction of the alternate resolution bill. However, Zahid Hamid said that if the two involved parties agreed, then such cases should also come under the law for mediation.
Ali Muhammad Khan pointed out that Islam also allowed for ‘Qisas’ to be used as a means of resolving disputes.
The committee also agreed to set a minimum fine of Rs. 2000 for any litigating party which caused a delay in hearings.
They agreed that the respective judge would be authorised to decide the amount of the penalty above the minimum Rs. 2000.
Legislator S.A Iqbal Qaudri said that if a government official caused a delay in a case hearing, he should also be fined.
Ali Muhammad Khan added that the government should investigate the bloggers who had allegedly committed the blasphemy.
Zahid Hamid replied to the proposal, pointing out that a law in this regard already existed and if anyone had evidence of these acts then they could approach the concerned forum.
