Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi has announced a comprehensive agenda for judicial reform under the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee. This initiative, reported on Saturday, aims to significantly enhance the country’s justice system. Key proposals include the establishment of model criminal trial courts, fixed timelines for expeditious disposal of civil and criminal cases, the introduction of a professional excellence index, and the development of ethical guidelines for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the judiciary.
CJP Afridi made these announcements during a national symposium held at the Federal Judicial Academy in Islamabad, themed “The Human Dimension of Responsive Justice.” He emphasized that collective wisdom must take precedence over individual desires, asserting that reforms cannot be lasting or effective without the ownership of all stakeholders.
The symposium brought together judges from the superior and district judiciary, legal experts, development partners, and institutional stakeholders for a landmark dialogue on improving Pakistan’s judicial system. Esteemed panelists at the event included Justice Wiqar Ahmad (Peshawar High Court), Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir (Islamabad High Court), Justice Iqbal Ahmed Kasi (High Court of Balochistan), Justice Jawad Akbar Sarwana (High Court of Sindh), and Justice Abher Gul Khan (Lahore High Court), alongside high court registrars and judicial academy directors general.
In his keynote address, CJP Afridi highlighted the urgent need to “humanize judicial reforms” by acknowledging the emotional, psychological, and institutional pressures faced by judges, particularly at the district level. He remarked, “A judge who is institutionally supported is better able to be fair, focused, and effectively responsive,” reaffirming his unwavering commitment to ensuring the dignity, protection, and institutional support for the judiciary.
A special focus was placed on the well-being of the district judiciary, with proposed reforms addressing extraneous influence, performance evaluation, standardized recruitment, parity in service terms, and enhanced access to international exposure. In a promising development, the CJP announced forthcoming Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the Supreme Court of China and the Constitutional Court of Türkiye for judicial cooperation, including the exchange of judicial officers.
CJP Afridi concluded his address by paying tribute to the “silent strength” of the judiciary and pledging, “This day is not a tribute — it is a promise. You are not alone! The entire institution stands behind you.”
The symposium concluded with the unanimous adoption of the Islamabad Declaration on Judicial Wellbeing, which declared judicial wellbeing a “structural imperative” for a responsive and sustainable justice system. The declaration recognized that judicial wellbeing is not a peripheral concern but a fundamental requirement for ensuring responsive, fair, and sustainable justice.
Furthermore, it acknowledged that judicial stress, social isolation, and unsustainable workloads undermine both personal dignity and institutional performance, meriting urgent attention from policymakers, judicial leadership, and justice sector institutions. The declaration affirmed that the human dimension of judging must be reflected in all judicial reforms, particularly those concerning case management, court infrastructure, staffing, performance evaluation, and digital integration.
It resolved to integrate judicial wellbeing as a core component of institutional reform strategies at both national and provincial levels, through policy, training, support mechanisms, and monitoring frameworks. The declaration also expressed a commitment to fostering a judicial culture that values empathy, emotional resilience, collegiality, and institutional care, ensuring that those who serve justice can do so in good health, dignity, and confidence.
Finally, the declaration called upon all key players, stakeholders, and development partners to collaborate in designing and implementing a National Judicial Wellbeing Framework to secure a sustainable and responsive justice system.
