ISLAMABAD: As a part of his commitment to strengthening service delivery and broadening access to justice, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Thursday convened a meeting to stress the importance of building IT capacity and conducting a thorough business process analysis of the judicial system.

During the session, participants engaged in constructive discussions and observed that these initiatives were anticipated to address existing bottlenecks, ultimately making the justice system more accessible, transparent and efficient.

All representatives assured their full commitment to supporting and advancing these reform efforts. The meeting resolved that focal persons nominated by the participating universities will coordinate closely with the Supreme Court’s team to carry forward this transformative agenda.

At the outset of the meeting, the CJP welcomed the participants and highlighted the challenges facing Pakistan’s justice system.

He underscored that these reforms would encompass every tier of the judiciary, beginning at the Supreme Court and extending to lower courts.

Emphasising a collaborative approach, the CJP stated that feedback from all stakeholders — judges, lawyers, litigants, and citizens — would be central to developing a responsive and effective system.

The CJP further acknowledged the invaluable role of academia in this transformative process, inviting universities to contribute their expertise to enhance judicial efficiency, transparency and accessibility.

Registrar of the Supreme Court Mohammad Saleem Khan addressed the meeting on the pressing need for comprehensive reforms within the justice sector, setting a clear agenda for enhanced service delivery.

Development expert Sher Shah outlined the CJP’s reform vision and presented short-term foundational plans as essential stepping stones towards medium-term and long-term improvements.

Hamayoon Zafar detailed the judiciary’s digital transformation roadmap, highlighting short-, medium- and long-term objectives to modernise the system through technology.

The meeting was attended by academics from Pakistan’s leading universities and prominent development experts and advocates, including Dr Ali Cheema, Vice Chancellor of Lahore University of Mana­gement Sciences; Dr Aftab, Rec­tor, Fast University; Prof Dr Fazal Khalid, Rector, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engi­ne­ering Sciences and Technology; Dr Riz­wan Riaz, Pro-Rector, Nat­ional University of Sciences and Tech­nology; and, Rauf Ata, President of Supreme Court Bar Association, to lay the groundwork for comprehensive justice sector reforms.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2024

Opinion

In fight mode

In fight mode

The bouts between political parties and establishment take a toll on country far more than they do on political parties.

Editorial

Meltdown
08 Apr, 2025

Meltdown

A full-blown trade war is upon us as the era of the rules-based, multilateral trading order is nearly over.
Settling differences
08 Apr, 2025

Settling differences

SOMETHING is stirring within the PTI. Some of its older hands are back in the limelight, ostensibly to make another...
Glacial ingenuity
08 Apr, 2025

Glacial ingenuity

NECESSITY is indeed the mother of invention, as witnessed in Gilgit-Baltistan. In these areas, where climate change...
Going dry
Updated 07 Apr, 2025

Going dry

Authorities should refrain from undertaking any water scheme that infringes on rights of any federating unit to avoid more controversies.
Afghan return
07 Apr, 2025

Afghan return

AS expected, the government of Pakistan is moving ahead with its plan to forcibly repatriate Afghan Citizenship Card...
Hurting women
07 Apr, 2025

Hurting women

MONTH after month, the figures of crimes against women in the country indicate that our society is close to...