Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has assured that opposition parties will be consulted on the judicial reform program during his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday.
PM Shehbaz’s Meeting with the Chief Justice
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Chief Justice Yahya Afridi at the CJP’s residence on his invitation. The meeting was attended by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan. Supreme Court Registrar Muhammad Salim Khan and Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission, Tanzeela Sabahat, were also present.
NJPMC Agenda and Judicial Reforms
The Chief Justice briefed the Prime Minister about the agenda of the upcoming National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) meeting and sought government input.
- The reforms aim to reduce case backlogs and ensure the swift delivery of justice.
- He emphasized that opposition parties’ suggestions will also be considered to ensure that the reforms gain bipartisan support and remain sustainable and impactful.
- The Prime Minister welcomed the reform package and assured the government would provide its feedback soon.
PM’s Remarks on Judicial Reforms
The Prime Minister commended the Chief Justice for visiting remote areas in South Punjab, Interior Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to engage with stakeholders for effective justice delivery.
- He highlighted the long-pending tax disputes in courts and urged the Chief Justice to ensure timely decisions on merit.
- On the issue of missing persons, PM Shehbaz assured that the government would accelerate effective measures to address the matter.
Modernizing the Judiciary
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has introduced transformative measures to modernize the judiciary and enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility.
- Integration of advanced IT systems:
- E-Affidavit system streamlines filing processes, minimizes delays, and enhances transparency.
- Case Management System enables litigants and lawyers to instantly access certified copies of case files, eliminating dispatch delays.
- Enhanced transparency measures include feedback mechanisms involving legal practitioners, litigants, and civil society.
- District judiciary reforms: The Chief Justice personally visited remote districts to assess ground-level challenges, strengthen institutional capacity, and address resource gaps, ensuring fair and accessible justice for all.
