Lawyers in Rawalpindi Declare Mandatory Biometric System a Complete Failure
The government's mandatory biometric system for filing new cases, bail applications, witness statements, miscellaneous petitions, and replies in subordinate courts has been declared a complete failure by lawyers in Rawalpindi. The District Bar Association Rawalpindi, along with all six district and 27 tehsil bar associations of Rawalpindi Division, have passed resolutions demanding the immediate abolition of the biometric system and restoration of the old manual system.
Unanimous Resolution Against Biometric Verification
In an emergency meeting chaired by District Bar President Tariq Mahmood Sajid Awan, a unanimous resolution was passed against the biometric verification system. The meeting was attended by High Court Bar President Saeed Yousaf Khan, Secretary Qamarul Haq Khan Niazi, and other office-bearers and members. Advocate Muhammad Fawad Ziad presented the resolution, highlighting the legal and administrative difficulties caused by the flawed system.
The resolution criticised the short 48-hour verification window and high fees, stating that mandatory biometric verification at every step undermines access to justice and causes significant delays. It also diminishes the role of legal representation and power of attorney, creating additional hurdles for lawyers and litigants.
Severe Delays and Technical Issues Plague the System
Lawyers reported that the flawed biometric system takes three to five days to process cases, delaying bail applications, new filings, and urgent matters. This inefficiency has resulted in severe mental stress for both lawyers and litigants. In family cases, women and girls are particularly affected, forced to endure repeated delays due to the system's failures.
Internet connectivity in district and tehsil courts remains inconsistent, often unavailable during court hours or failing suddenly after brief operation. Lawyers stated that if biometric verification is essential, then internet services must be available 24 hours with fully functional 5G connectivity to support the system effectively.
Demands for System Review and Protests Warning
The lawyers have put forward several demands to address the issues:
- Extension of verification timelines to reduce pressure on litigants.
- Limiting biometric use to specific stages of the judicial process rather than every step.
- A comprehensive review of the biometric system to identify and rectify its flaws.
They warned that failure to meet these demands would lead to organized protests, escalating the situation further. The collective action by bar associations underscores the widespread dissatisfaction with the current biometric implementation, calling for urgent governmental intervention to restore efficiency in the judicial process.
