The Supreme Court of Pakistan has unanimously approved the new Supreme Court Rules 2025 during its 156th full court meeting held in Islamabad. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi presided over the session, which was attended by several honorable judges of the apex court.
According to an official statement, Justice Shahid Waheed briefed the bench on the rules after the Rules-Making Committee reviewed the older 1980 version and incorporated feedback from both judges and lawyers. The Chief Justice praised the committee’s efforts and called the updated rules a “milestone” in strengthening the judiciary’s institutional structure.
The Supreme Court Rules 2025 were declared a “living document”, meaning they will be reviewed and updated as needed to meet future legal challenges. While the court discussed revisions in court fees and securities, implementation has been deferred to allow more stakeholder input.
Justice Yahya Afridi emphasized that the new rules are dynamic, accountable, and aligned with modern judicial needs. He said the development reflects the judiciary’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and institutional reform.
However, four senior judges—Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Athar Minallah, and Justice Ayesha Malik—did not attend the meeting. In a letter, they raised concerns about approving rules through circulation and criticized the process leading to the full court session. Despite their absence, the rules were passed with full consensus from attending members.