ISLAMABAD: The outgoing cabinet of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the newly-elected cabinet headed by Syed Amjad Shah met Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Thursday.

The CJP emphasised that the bench and bar were integral to the administration of justice. He underscored the importance of sustained coordination, mutual respect and constructive engagement in strengthening public confidence in the justice system.

Briefing the delegation on institutional reforms, the CJP highlighted improvements in case management, digital transformation, judicial infrastructure and public facilitation.

The CJP said that approximately 20 to 30 cases were fixed before each bench daily with dedicated benches for criminal and service matters. Death appeals instituted up to 2025 have been decided, while those instituted in 2026 are being heard.

The newly-elected cabinet raised concerns regarding deficiencies in courtroom sound and video-link systems. The CJP informed the delegation that these systems were being revamped with completion targeted by Nov 30, 2026.

The delegation proposed permanent benches at the Supreme Court’s branch registries to facilitate litigants at provincial headquarters. The CJP informed the participants that a permanent bench was already functioning at the Lahore Branch Registry, while benches at other registries would be constituted subject to the availability of judges.

Referring to public-oriented initiatives, the CJP highlighted public facilitation centres at the principal seat and branch registries, the 1818 legal call centre providing free legal guidance and facilitating access to legal aid, and the court-annexed mediation centre promoting amicable dispute resolution.

He also highlighted the Supreme Court’s expanding international judicial cooperation through memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed with the Supreme Court of China, the Constitutional Court of Türkiye and the Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2026