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" IN REM ACTION IN THE ADMIRALTY IN REM ACTION IN THE ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION IN PAKISTAN   By   Muhammad Shamim, B.A., LL. B., Barrister‑at‑Law (Lincoln's Inn), Lahore     In rem action is designated proceedings or actions instituted against "the thing" in contradistinction to personal actions. Such proceedings encompass any action brought against person in which essential purpose of suit is to determine title to or to affect interest in specific property located within territory over which Court has jurisdiction. In rem actions are routinely and frequently brought in the High Courts acting under its admiralty jurisdiction.   Admiralty jurisdiction is an essential aspect of judicial sovereignty, which under the Constitution and the laws is exercised by the High Court as a Supreme Court of record administering justice in relation to persons and things within its jurisdiction.   Not every High Court is vested with admiralty jurisdiction. In Pakistan for instance this jurisdiction is extended to the High Courts under‑the‑provisions of "Admiralty Jurisdiction of High Courts Ordinance, 1980 (Ordinance XLII of 1980) ('the Ordinance'). By virtue of section 3(1) it is provided "The Sindh High Court and the High Court of Balochistan shall have and exercise, within their respective jurisdictions, Admiralty jurisdiction as is in this Ordinance provided and the Lahore High Court and the Peshawar High Court shall within their respective territorial jurisdiction, have and exercise the said jurisdiction in cases in which any question or claim relating to aircraft is to be determined". The Sindh High Court has indeed, very frequently exercised the jurisdiction over ships which have entered or have berthed…