• Urges senior judges to ensure justice is fair, expeditious and by the law
• Says credibility of judiciary rests on the conduct of its officers

ISLAMABAD: The dispensation of justice requires not only a sound knowledge of law but also “a deep sense of integrity, impartiality, and judicial temperament”, Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi told a delegation of visiting judges, emphasising that the judiciary’s credibility rests upon its officers.

CJP Afridi addressed 24 senior civil judges from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who called on him at the Supreme Court as part of a study tour.

The judges are currently undergoing pre-promotion training at the Federal Judicial Academy.

During the interactive session, the chief justice highlighted the evolving demands of judicial responsibilities and underscored the importance of continuous professional development.

“Training programmes conducted by judicial academies play a vital role in enhancing judicial competence, promoting consistency in decision-making, and strengthening public confidence in the justice system,” CJP Afridi said.

He advised the judicial officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, maintain independence in decision-making and remain steadfast in their commitment to the rule of law.

Judicial officers, he said, “must remain mindful of their constitutional obligations and strive to ensure that justice is administered fairly, expeditiously, and in accordance with law”.

CJP Afridi said structured training enables judges to better understand contemporary legal challenges, improve case management practices, and uphold the principles of due process and a fair trial.

He expressed confidence that the training would equip the participants with the skills and perspectives required for higher judicial responsibilities.

The chief justice noted that the credibility of the judiciary “rests upon the conduct and competence of its officers, who serve as frontline custodians of justice”.

The delegation was visiting under the Professional Exchange Programme. The meeting was also attended by the director general of the Federal Judicial Academy, the director general of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy, and the secretary of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.

The visit concluded with an exchange of souvenirs as a gesture of institutional goodwill.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2026