UNDP-supported training for judges, lawyers concludes in Gilgit

GILGIT : A four-day training program for judges and lawyers of the subordinate judiciary concluded in Gilgit-Baltistan, focusing on strengthening legal research, improving the quality of judicial decisions and promoting the effective use of modern technology in court proceedings. The program was organized jointly by the Judicial Academy Gilgit-Baltistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to enhance the professional capacity of judicial officers and legal practitioners. Participants received training in modern legal research, clear and concise judgment writing, framing issues in civil cases and contemporary judicial practices.

Chief Justice of the Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan, Justice Ali Baig, said during the closing ceremony that continuous professional development was essential to improving the judicial system and ensuring timely access to justice. He urged judges to write judgments in simple, concise and comprehensible language so that litigants and the general public could understand the reasoning behind court decisions. Justice Baig also emphasized that family and tenancy cases must be decided within the legally prescribed six-month period. He called for clear identification of disputed issues in civil cases and effective measures to reduce delays in the disposal of pending litigation. He said closer cooperation between the bench and the bar, combined with stronger legal skills and adherence to procedural requirements, was essential to delivering timely, quality and affordable justice. He also stressed the need to prioritize pending cases and improve judicial efficiency. District and Sessions Judge Luqman Hakim and Advocate Rashid Umar also addressed the closing ceremony, describing the training as beneficial for professional development. They called for further initiatives to strengthen legal research, judgment writing and modern judicial practices. Certificates were distributed among participating judges and lawyers at the conclusion of the program.