ISLAMABAD: The Finance Ministry has approved a budget of Rs 212 million for two session divisions of lower judiciary of the Federal Capital for the fiscal year of 2012-13 against original demand amounting to Rs 468 million.

A source informed that Islamabad High Court administration, however has forwarded a summary of an additional grant Rs 160 million for improving infrastructure of the lower judiciary.

The administration of the court had sent a demand of Rs 226 million to meet the salaries and other expenditures for the district court east and its civil courts for year 2012-13.

Out of the Rs 226 million, the source added, Rs 112 million had been demanded for district court east while Rs 114 million was sought for its civil courts.

Moreover, Rs 242 million were demanded for district courts west and its lower courts. Out of the total amount, Rs 154 million were demanded for district court west, while Rs 88 million were sought for its lower courts. However, the finance ministry granted 48 percent of the demanded amount.

In the next fiscal year, the IHC administration will induct more judges for the sessions divisions `east' and `west' and for the proposed 11 special courts labour, banking, special judge central, special judge customs, accountability courts, environment protection tribunals, anti-terrorism, control of narcotics substance, consumer and drug courts.

The IHC administration through a notification on May 13, 2011, had increased the strength of the judges of its subordinate judiciary but could not appoint the judges due to non-release of the additional budget.