National Judicial Committee to review missing persons, key issues next month: CJP

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Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi said on Monday that the National Judicial Policy -making Committee (NJPC) will deliberately meet on key judicial issues, including the missing persons issues on October 17.

Addressing a judicial conference in Islamabad, Supreme Court judges and High Court judges, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan, and representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association attended, emphasizing that the new judicial year is not just formal.

He said, “The purpose of the new judicial year event is to assess our performance,” he said, recalling that the tradition began in the 1970s and was held regularly since 2004.

CJP Afridi said that transparency in the judicial system will ensure justice and it has been emphasized that rapidly wasting the case and technology -powered reforms are central to their vision for an effective judiciary.

Apex Court’s senior judge said that after taking office, he felt the need for reforms and started them on five basic pillars. “We have preferred the technology to improve the delivery of services, transparency in matters and strengthen the legal framework,” he said, adding that the cases have been introduced in a timely manner case management system.

He announced that the Supreme Court is moving towards the paperless system. “Registration of the case, case records, and copies of the decisions have already been available online, and the court will fully operate through the digital system,” he said. “E -services have been launched, and a facility will be fully activated on October 1 to serve legalism.”

The Chief Justice revealed that the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has decided 64 complaints against the judges, while 72 are under consideration and 65 are pending. He made it clear, “The rest of the issues will be divided into judges by the end of this month. We are the first to come, follow the principle of service first and will not take cases below the list.”

Highlighting the importance of technology, he said: “Everyone talks about technology and artificial intelligence (AI). We are scanning 61,000 files digitally, and this project will be completed in six months. Through artificial intelligence, matters will not be finalized yet.

Justice Afridi said that internal audit procedures have been completed, and the rules of the draft were divided for opinion with the judges. He added, “We have called for a full judicial meeting to review the rules. The members of the objections should present them in writing so that they can be properly considered.”

He also clarified the rules related to the judges’ leave, saying that no permission was needed during the judicial holidays, though before the public holidays, it was necessary to report before.

Talking about security measures, the Chief Justice said: “The security of me and other judges has been reduced. The protocol has been reduced in the red zone. The judges may need security outside Islamabad, but not inside the Red Zone.” He said he had reduced his security vehicles from nine to two.

Justice Afridi emphasized that he has visited remote areas to review the system of justice and directed that the affairs of the entire judiciary be focused across the country.

In his address, Vice Chairman of Pakistan Bar Council, Tahir Nasrullah, paid tribute to Chief Justice Afridi and acknowledged the recent steps to facilitate legalism, including the provision of Internet and solar energy facilities in remote areas and practical use of video link hearing.

He added that the pending cases in the Supreme Court have declined and expressed hope that access to justice at the district level will improve further.

Rauf Atta, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, also praised the Chief Justice for introducing a new vision for the Supreme Court, citing achievements such as electronic filing, video link hearings, and the establishment of the convenience center.

He praised that the court continued the hearing during the summer holidays, though he raised concerns about the delay in the case schedule and requested further steps to simplify the process for litigation.

Attorney General Mansoor Usman Owen said in his remarks that the delivery of justice has become the top priority of the judiciary and the constitution and the obedience of the law ensured transparency.

He praised the reduction in pending cases compared to last year and praised Supreme Court judges and officers. He also supported the use of technology and artificial intelligence to enhance judicial performance.