Islamabad: In a full court reference held at the beginning of the new judicial year, Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi stressed the need for wide-ranging reforms in the judicial system. The event was attended by judges of the Supreme Court and high courts, the Attorney General, and representatives of the Pakistan Bar.
In his address, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi said that after assuming office, he initiated reforms in the judicial system on five important grounds. These include improving service delivery through technology, ensuring transparency in cases, strengthening the legal framework, reducing judges’ protocols and modernizing the judicial structure. He gave as an example that he has reduced the number of his security vehicles from 9 to just 2.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, also addressing the ceremony, said that quick delivery of justice should be the top priority of the judiciary. He termed the reduction in pending cases as a positive development compared to last year. According to him, special benches have been formed for constitutional cases and the judiciary should focus on the use of technology and artificial intelligence.
“Easy access to justice” Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairman Tahir Nasrullah praised the Chief Justice’s initiatives and said that his reforms have made the delivery of justice easier. He said that a system of hearing arguments through video link has been introduced in remote areas, which has provided great convenience to the litigants. He expressed hope that easy access to justice will also be possible in the district judiciary.
