NTC & dumping duties laws: Designated benches set up in high courts

ISLAMABAD: Designated benches have been established in the high courts to adjudicate matters arising out of the National Tariff Commission Act, 2015, and the Anti-Dumping Duties Act, 2015.

The designated benches will also hear matters under the Recognition and Enforcement (Arbitration Agreements and Foreign Arbitral Awards) Act, 2011.

This was stated during a meeting of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC), held at the Supreme Court building, which was attended by the Chief Justices of the Federal Shariat Court and all the High Courts.

The Committee deliberated on key policy issues and unanimously reiterated its resolve to strengthen institutional capacity, accelerate access to justice, and ensure efficient and effective delivery of justice.

The NJPMC observed that the establishment of these dedicated benches would foster judicial specialization, ensure greater consistency in the adjudication of arbitration-, tariff-, and duty-related matters, and contribute positively to enhancing the ease of doing business environment. The Committee particularly commended the district judiciary of Punjab and Balochistan for achieving 92% and 88% disposal of prioritized categories of cases, respectively.

The Committee also reviewed data on the oldest succession cases (up to 2019) and lauded the High Court of Sindh, Peshawar High Court, and the High Court of Balochistan for clearing the entire pendency of these cases. The Islamabad High Court has already cleared these cases, while the Lahore High Court is left with only 28.

The NJPMC, after reviewing the performance of model civil and criminal trial courts, noted with appreciation the progress made by the district judiciary in the disposal of civil and criminal cases. To consolidate these gains, the NJPMC asked the High Courts to further strengthen performance monitoring through data-driven evaluation, ensuring quality of adjudication alongside expeditious disposal.

The NJPMC reiterated its resolve that the abuse of judicial processes must be discouraged through strict compliance with available statutory and procedural provisions.

The Attorney General for Pakistan, in his capacity as Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, assured that the Bar Council would be taken on board regarding the mechanism for addressing the issue of frequent strikes by the bar, and that the NJPMC would be apprised of progress in the next meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026