| At the time of establishment
of the High Court of West Pakistan the number of the
Judges of the Karachi Bench was almost the same but
subsequently it was increased to 15 and on separation
of Sindh & Baluchistan High Courts 12 Judges were
allocated to the Sindh High Court and 3 Judges to Baluchistan
High Court. The present approved strength of
Judges is 40.
The construction of existing main building
was commenced in 1923, at an estimated cost of Rs. 39,75,248
but it was completed on 22-11-1929, at actual cost of
Rs. 30,35,000. This building which was meant for 5 Judges
with some provision for expansion in 1929 is now accommodating
Benches, Court Rooms and 18 Judges in Chambers. Some
Judges have to hold Courts in Chambers. Besides, it
also provides accommodation for the offices of the Attorney-General,
Deputy Attorney-General,Federal Shariat Court Registry,
Advocate-General, Sindh, Additional Advocate General,
Sindh, Assistant Advocate General, Sindh and High Court
Bar Library. Before shifting Supreme Court Registry
from High Court premises two Court rooms and three Chambers
were used by the Supreme Court Judges. When the Supreme
Court comes to Karachi in bigger strength some more
chambers are provided to the Judges of the Supreme
Court.
In 1974, An Annexe Building on the
North-East side of the compound of the High Court was
constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.4 Millions but it did
not ease the situation much, for it is accommodating
the offices of this Court and also provides office accommodation
for the Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Parliamentary
Affairs, Standing Counsel, Official Assignee, Special
Banking Court, Registry of the Federal Shariat Court
and Singh Bar Council. Thus, it will be seen that there
is acute shortage of accommodation.
The provincial Government has allocated
a token amount of Rs. One Lac few years back
for construction of Annexe Building of South-East of
the present building in order to make the scheme as
ongoing scheme. The building was estimated in 1984 to
cost a sum of Rs. 13.35 millions. The cost now may go
up slightly because of inflation. Unless the Federal
Government provides funds or the Provincial Government
give preference to the construction of this building
and provide necessary funds, the building is not going
to be completed within a year or two.
A Judge of the High Court
is appointed by the President after consultation with
the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Governor of the Province
and the Chief Justice of the High Court in which appointment
is to be made. No person is appointed as a Judge of
the High Court unless he is a citizen of Pakistan having
forty years and has been an advocate of the High Court
or has held a judicial office for ten years and has
for a period of not less than three years served as
or exercised the functions of a District Judge in Pakistan.
A Judge of a High Court holds office until he attains
the age of sixty-two years, unless he sooner resigns
or is removed from office in accordance with the Constitution.
The principal seat of the High Court
of Sindh is at Karachi with a Bench at Sukkur and Circuit Court at Hyderabad
and Larkana. The High Court may have more Benches at other
places as the Governor on the advice of the Cabinet
and in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High
Court may determine Jurisdiction.
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