INTRODUCTION:
The criminal justice system in Pakistan is structured to ensure the protection of life and property,
uphold social order, and deliver justice in a fair and efficient manner. As per Article 37(d) of the
Constitution, the state is responsible for providing inexpensive and expeditious justice to its
citizens. Criminal courts play a fundamental role in this system, overseeing trials, determining
guilt, and imposing punishments in accordance with the law. The Code of Criminal Procedure
1898 outlines the framework for criminal trials, beginning with the registration of a First
Information Report (FIR) under Section 154, followed by investigation, prosecution, and
adjudication. Various classes of criminal courts operate under this framework, including
Magistrate Courts, Sessions Courts, and High Courts, each with distinct powers and jurisdiction
regarding the sentences they can pass.
JUDICIAL STRUCTURE OF PAKISTAN:
The judicial structure of Pakistan defines the composition, jurisdiction, powers, and functions of
courts through detailed provisions in the Constitution. The Constitution upholds the principles of
judicial independence and the separation of the judiciary from the executive to ensure fair
and impartial justice. It also outlines the qualifications, appointment procedures, service
conditions, salary, pension, and removal process for judges of superior courts. These provisions
safeguard the autonomy and integrity of the judiciary, enabling courts at various levels
Magistrate Courts, Sessions Courts, and High Courts to exercise their respective powers in
adjudicating cases and passing appropriate sentences. The judicial system of Pakistan follows a
hierarchical structure, with the Supreme Court at the apex, serving as the final appellate authority
for both civil and criminal matters. Below the Supreme Court, the High Courts of each province,
including the Lahore High Court, High Court of Sindh, High Court of Baluchistan, Peshawar
High Court, and Islamabad High Court, exercise jurisdiction over their respective regions.
Additionally, specialized courts such as the Federal Shariat Court and administrative courts
handle specific legal matters. The High Courts supervise subordinate courts, which include
District & Sessions Courts and various classes of Magistrate Courts. This structure ensures an
organized and efficient judicial administration, maintaining law and order across the country.
The subordinate judiciary Is composed of District & Sessions Judges, Additional District &
Sessions Judges, Senior Civil Judges, and Civil Judges-cum-Judicial Magistrates, categorized
into different classes. Punjab has the highest number of subordinate court judges, followed by
Sindh, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).
, STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF JUDICIARY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTOR
OF PAKISTAN:
In Pakistan, there are three divisions of subordinate courts, three tiers of federal courts, and a
Supreme Judicial Council. Every district in each province has district courts, which have both
civil and criminal jurisdictions but mostly deal with civil issues. Classification of criminal courts
in a hierarchical structure. At the highest level, the system includes the Supreme Court, followed
by the High Court, Session Courts, and Magisterial Courts. The Session Courts are further
divided into Additional Session Court and Assistant Session Court. The Magisterial Courts are
categorized into two main types: Executive Magistrates and Judicial Magistrates. The Executive
Magistrates include four subcategories: District Magistrate, Additional Magistrate,
SubDivisional Magistrate, and Special Executive Magistrate. The Judicial Magistrates are
divided into four classes based on their jurisdiction and authority: Magistrate 1 st Class,
Magistrate 2nd Class, Magistrate 3rd Class, and Special Judicial Magistrate. This classification
represents the structure of criminal courts and their levels of authority in handling cases.
The criminal justice system in Pakistan is structured to ensure the protection of life and property,
uphold social order, and deliver justice in a fair and efficient manner. As per Article 37(d) of the
Constitution, the state is responsible for providing inexpensive and expeditious justice to its
citizens. Criminal courts play a fundamental role in this system, overseeing trials, determining
guilt, and imposing punishments in accordance with the law. The Code of Criminal Procedure
1898 outlines the framework for criminal trials, beginning with the registration of a First
Information Report (FIR) under Section 154, followed by investigation, prosecution, and
adjudication. Various classes of criminal courts operate under this framework, including
Magistrate Courts, Sessions Courts, and High Courts, each with distinct powers and jurisdiction
regarding the sentences they can pass.
JUDICIAL STRUCTURE OF PAKISTAN:
The judicial structure of Pakistan defines the composition, jurisdiction, powers, and functions of
courts through detailed provisions in the Constitution. The Constitution upholds the principles of
judicial independence and the separation of the judiciary from the executive to ensure fair
and impartial justice. It also outlines the qualifications, appointment procedures, service
conditions, salary, pension, and removal process for judges of superior courts. These provisions
safeguard the autonomy and integrity of the judiciary, enabling courts at various levels
Magistrate Courts, Sessions Courts, and High Courts to exercise their respective powers in
adjudicating cases and passing appropriate sentences. The judicial system of Pakistan follows a
hierarchical structure, with the Supreme Court at the apex, serving as the final appellate authority
for both civil and criminal matters. Below the Supreme Court, the High Courts of each province,
including the Lahore High Court, High Court of Sindh, High Court of Baluchistan, Peshawar
High Court, and Islamabad High Court, exercise jurisdiction over their respective regions.
Additionally, specialized courts such as the Federal Shariat Court and administrative courts
handle specific legal matters. The High Courts supervise subordinate courts, which include
District & Sessions Courts and various classes of Magistrate Courts. This structure ensures an
organized and efficient judicial administration, maintaining law and order across the country.
The subordinate judiciary Is composed of District & Sessions Judges, Additional District &
Sessions Judges, Senior Civil Judges, and Civil Judges-cum-Judicial Magistrates, categorized
into different classes. Punjab has the highest number of subordinate court judges, followed by
Sindh, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).
, STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF JUDICIARY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTOR
OF PAKISTAN:
In Pakistan, there are three divisions of subordinate courts, three tiers of federal courts, and a
Supreme Judicial Council. Every district in each province has district courts, which have both
civil and criminal jurisdictions but mostly deal with civil issues. Classification of criminal courts
in a hierarchical structure. At the highest level, the system includes the Supreme Court, followed
by the High Court, Session Courts, and Magisterial Courts. The Session Courts are further
divided into Additional Session Court and Assistant Session Court. The Magisterial Courts are
categorized into two main types: Executive Magistrates and Judicial Magistrates. The Executive
Magistrates include four subcategories: District Magistrate, Additional Magistrate,
SubDivisional Magistrate, and Special Executive Magistrate. The Judicial Magistrates are
divided into four classes based on their jurisdiction and authority: Magistrate 1 st Class,
Magistrate 2nd Class, Magistrate 3rd Class, and Special Judicial Magistrate. This classification
represents the structure of criminal courts and their levels of authority in handling cases.
