In a landmark decision, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) will stream proceedings of the court on a live online channel.
According to details, Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah made this decision. In compliance with the CJ’s order, the IT department of the IHC even installed the system in his courtroom. Therefore, IHC will show live today’s hearing of different cases on a trial basis.
However, if the trial proves to be successful, then everyone will have access to the website on which they can live stream the court proceedings.
CJ Minallah has even invited suggestions from the court reporters in order to make the ‘initiative’ successful.
Read more: Judicial Reforms: Pakistan’s need of the Hour
Commendable initiative
Reacting to the development, former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry endorsed the decision of IHC. He also urged other courts to follow the example of IHC and live stream the court proceedings.
“The decision of the Islamabad High Court to show the cases live is correct. The FIA Court Lahore should also follow the example of the Islamabad High Court and show the money laundering case of Shahbaz Sharif live. The date of his bail is yet to come,” Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.
Important to note, Fawad Chaudhry has often advocated for live media coverage of courtroom proceedings, especially Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s alleged money laundering case.
Read more: Fawad Chaudhry wants live coverage of Shehbaz Sharif’s Feb 18 trial
While serving as a federal minister, Fawad Chaudhry on numerous occasions urged the chief justices of the country to install cameras in the courtrooms.
اسلام آباد ہائیکورٹ کا مقدمات کو براہ راست دکھانے فیصلہ درست ہے، FIA Court Lahore بھی اسلام آبادہائیکورٹ کی تقلید کرے اور شہباز شریف کے منی لانڈرنگ کیس کو براہ راست دکھایا جائے،ان کی ضمانت کی تاریخ آنیوالی ہے اس پر ہی اس فیصلے پر عمدرآمد ہونا چاہئے #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور https://t.co/3PQKbWj6DT
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 22, 2022
On the other hand, if the initiative is successful, it will be revolutionary for Pakistan’s judicial history. It will enhance the transparency of the judicial system, and eventually lead to higher levels of public trust. Moreover, it may contribute to improving the public’s understanding and perceptions of how justice works.
Read more: Pakistan Towards 2030 – Desperate need for legal and judicial reforms