The Islamabad High Court on Monday adjourned several cases after proceedings were delayed due to the absence of an NCCIA prosecutor.
The court directed Additional DG NCCIA, Arif Shehbaz Wazir, to ensure the regular presence of prosecutors in future hearings.
During the session, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani noted that while the NCCIA has a total of nine prosecutors, Islamabad only has one assigned to handle nearly 200 new cases each month. Currently, 367 blasphemy cases are pending in the capital, contributing to a cumulative caseload of around 15,000 cases across all courts.
Wazir informed the court that the agency is in the process of increasing the number of prosecutors and assigning officers on deputation to help manage the backlog.
Justice Kayani emphasized that trials could not move forward without the presence of prosecutors, even when witnesses and lawyers are available. “As the population has grown, the number of prosecutors must also increase,” he remarked.
The court clarified that once the NCCIA prosecutor records their statement, the plaintiff’s lawyer can continue with the proceedings. The hearing was subsequently adjourned with clear instructions for the NCCIA to ensure the attendance of prosecutors in all upcoming hearings.
