Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday ordered to establish a Minority Wing at Human Rights Cell of the Supreme Court.

The Minority Wing is aimed at ensuring the rights of the minorities which are properly protected and safeguarded and to ultimately promote and protect such rights as required by the Constitution and international laws. To ensure better access to justice for the deprived, the destitute and vulnerable segments of society as enshrined in the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973, especially in its Original Jurisdiction under article 184(3), the chief justice has established two branches of Human Rights Cells in the first phase at Branch Registries at Karachi and Lahore.

Due to actions taken by the chief justice, the envisioned proactive role of Human Rights Cell and to deal, all times high and human rights applications addressed to SC, reflecting increased public confidence in the apex court, the CJP has upgraded the HR cell of the court as Directorate of Human Rights.

The same will help in better handling of the applications on Human Rights issues, which in last few months, have increased five times. The same is expected to enhance the capacity in handling public interest litigations.

Published in Daily Times, April 26^th 2018.