BAHAWALPUR: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Bahawalpur bench on Wednesday began hearing of the cases through video-link for first time in its history.

According to court sources, the hearing of the cases through video-link has been started on the orders of LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, on the request of local bar associations.Dawn learnt from LHC (Bahawalpur bench) sources that a division bench of LHC Bahawalpur Bench comprising Mr Justice Traiq Saleem Sheikh and Mr Justice Muhammad Tariq Nadeem heard through video-link five pending cases titled Akhlkaq vs State, Muhammad Afzaal vs State, Muhammad Muzamil vs State, Shafique Ahmed vs State and Farhan vs State. The cases are of litigants from Rahim Yar Khan district.

The local lawyers, while welcoming the introduction of video-link hearing of cases by LHC Bahawalpur Bench described it as a historic milestone aimed at to providing justice to the litigants from far-off areas.

They said this step by the LHC CJ has provided a great relief to the litigants who had to bear extra financial burden and inconvenience of taking long journey to reach the court.

Litigants also hailed the move, saying the introduction of the video-link system, speedy justice could be dispensed at their doorstep.

Besides, on CJ’s orders, SMS alert has also been introduced in the Bahawalpur Bench to inform both lawyers and litigants about availability of attested copies of court judgements.