The federal government is moving to establish special courts in Islamabad for the speedy trial of rape cases under the Anti-Rape Act, 2021, as part of efforts to strengthen the legal response to sexual violence cases.
Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar has nominated two courts for the proposed arrangement, with one court designated for each of the capital’s East and West sessions divisions.
The Ministry of Law and Justice has prepared a summary seeking approval for the designation of the special courts and has forwarded it for consideration by the federal cabinet.
Two courts nominated for rape trials
For Islamabad’s West sessions division, the court of Muhammad Afzal Majoka, Additional District and Sessions Judge West, has been nominated to hear cases under the special-court framework.
The court of Muhammad Sohail, Additional District and Sessions Judge East, has been nominated for cases falling within the East sessions division.
Once the federal cabinet approves the proposal, the two courts will hear rape cases in Islamabad falling within their respective territorial jurisdictions.
Special courts under Anti-Rape Act 2021
The proposed courts will be designated under Section 3 of the Anti-Rape Act, 2021, which provides a legal mechanism for establishing or nominating special courts to deal with rape cases.
Under the law, the federal government can nominate special courts after consultation with the chief justice of the relevant high court.
The latest move is aimed at putting this mechanism into effect in Islamabad by assigning specific courts to handle rape cases under the legislation.
Government seeks cabinet approval
The Ministry of Law and Justice has completed the summary for designating the two Islamabad courts and is awaiting approval from the federal cabinet.
If approved, the arrangement will formally assign the nominated courts to conduct speedy trials of rape cases under the Anti-Rape Act.
The initiative is intended to provide a dedicated judicial mechanism for such cases and ensure that proceedings are handled through courts specifically designated under the 2021 legislation.
The final implementation will depend on the federal cabinet’s approval and the subsequent notification designating the two courts.
