ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani on Wednesday directed that the High Court’s Practice and Procedure Rules be uploaded on the court’s official website within 48 hours and that copies be provided to the Islamabad High Court Bar Association and district bar associations.
The order was issued during a hearing when the court asked a lawyer about the rules. The petitioner’s counsel said he was unaware of their contents and was submitting an application to obtain them.
Justice Kayani remarked that although the rules had been framed and approved by the full court, they were neither circulated nor made public. “I am a judge and I did not receive them; how would you receive them?” he said, describing the rules as a “secret document”.
The judge instructed the lawyer to approach the registrar for copies of the rules. Expressing concern over delays in providing official documents, he noted that even available records were often withheld for months.
Reiterating his directive, Justice Kayani warned that criminal proceedings could be initiated if the order was not implemented and said he would summon the registrar if necessary.
Later, when the lawyer requested the next hearing be scheduled for January 29, the judge said he was unsure of his availability on that date. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing.
