Balochistan High Court introduces four-day work week as part of austerity drive

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has announced a series of austerity and energy conservation measures following a meeting of all judges, held after a virtual session of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee chaired by Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhel on Thursday.

During the meeting, the judges discussed a seven-point agenda issued by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan in detail. The agenda was unanimously endorsed by the participants, who agreed on steps aimed at ensuring the efficient use of public resources amid concerns over potential petroleum shortages and rising global energy prices. The measures are intended to maintain the uninterrupted continuation of judicial services in the province.

One of the key decisions was the implementation of a four-day working week at the BHC. According to the new schedule, regular court proceedings will be conducted from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, only urgent cases will be heard. Additionally, high court staff will attend office on Fridays and Saturdays on a rotational basis to ensure essential administrative functions continue without disruption.

Similar changes will be applied to district courts across Balochistan, where cases will be scheduled from Monday to Thursday. The move is part of a broader strategy to conserve energy and manage resources efficiently in the face of economic challenges.

The BHC's decision reflects a growing trend among public institutions to adopt austerity measures in response to national and global economic pressures. The court's leadership emphasized the importance of these steps in sustaining judicial operations while addressing the current resource constraints.

The measures were published in Dawn on March 13th.