ISLAMABAD: The country’s courts will be observing four-day work weeks while litigants and counsels will be encouraged to participate in proceedings through video-link facilities, where feasible, as part of austerity measures amid the fuel crisis resulting from the Middle East conflict.
To this effect, a notification issued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan stated: “In view of likely disruption in the supply of petroleum products resulting in escalating energy costs, it is imperative to adopt prudent and responsible measures to conserve resources.
“Accordingly, following austerity and fuel conservation measures, as far as possible, shall be adopted in the Supreme Court of Pakistan with immediate effect until further notice.”
The measures outlined in the notification included four-day work weeks, from Monday to Thursday.
“The court shall observe holidays from Friday to Sunday,” the notification said.
It further stated that the monthly ceiling of Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) allocated to judges and entitled officers should be reduced by 50 per cent.
The notification also said that “no additional protocol or security vehicles shall be deployed during movement within designated high-security zones. However, the quarters concerned shall ensure route security as per required protocols”.
Moreover, litigants and counsels should be encouraged to participate in proceedings through video-link facilities, where feasible, it added.
“The court shall implement rotational attendance arrangements for staff, wherever practicable, to minimise commuting and reduce energy consumption while maintaining essential court functions,” the notification read.
More to follow
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