News Desk
Quetta: The Balochistan High Court has rolled out a four-day working week along with a set of cost-cutting and energy-saving measures, following recommendations from the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC). These changes apply immediately to both the High Court and the district judiciary.
New Work Schedule
The High Court will now hold regular sessions Monday to Thursday, reserving Fridays for urgent matters, with a single judge hearing emergency cases. Staff will attend on a rotational basis on Fridays and Saturdays.
District courts will follow a similar schedule, handling urgent matters like bail, remand, injunctions, and habeas corpus petitions on rotation during weekends.
Cost-Cutting Measures
As part of the austerity plan:
POL (fuel) allowance for High Court staff and judges cut by 50%
District judiciary POL reduced by 30% in the first month, rising to 50% thereafter
Judges and senior staff earning PKR 300,000+ will make a one-time two-day salary contribution
Digital Court Initiatives
The court is also expanding video-link hearings across all sessions divisions. An e-court system is expected to be operational by next month, enabling remote hearings and faster case management.
These reforms aim to save resources, improve efficiency, and modernize the judiciary. The Chief Justice and High Court judges have instructed all departments to ensure smooth implementation.
