In line with his vision for a citizen-centric justice system, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi, chaired the eighth interactive progress review session at the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar, Chairman, National Judicial Automation Committee (NJAC) and senior officials, technical experts, and section heads to assess monthly progress under the Reform Action Plan (RAP) and to issue directions on pending initiatives and upcoming milestones. Other participants included the Registrar Supreme Court, Director General (Reforms), IT Advisor Mr. Hamayun Zafar, section heads of the Supreme Court, the Director General of the Federal Judicial Academy, and the Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP). The Chief Justice reviewed the progress achieved under the reform framework.
Of the 86 initiatives identified in the RAP, 36 have been completed, 45 are under implementation, and 13 are scheduled to begin shortly. These indicators reflect the judiciary’s continuing effort to modernize processes, enhance institutional efficiency, and strengthen public-facing services. The CJP examined updates on case disposal, case categorization, record digitization, IT integration, financial controls, audit mechanisms, and public facilitation initiatives. He noted with satisfaction that case categorization is underway, and that more than 126,00 records have been digitized out of the targeted 61,900, with the remaining work expected to be completed within the stipulated timeline. He kicked off the Standardization and quality assurance process today.
Progress on automation, including software enhancements, improved IT integration, and QR-coded certified copies, was also reviewed. For launching the E Courts project, focused group discussions will be held at the Federal Judicial Academy in collaboration with the Ministry of IT and Telecom, as well as Pakistan Digital Authority, which will give a master plan for end-to-end digitization of all courts from the district judiciary to the Supreme Court across the country. Capacity-building sessions on data management and analysis initiatives were also discussed.
The Public Facilitation component was reviewed in detail. The Chief Justice acknowledged improvements in the system for receiving calls and complaints, as well as the proactive outreach mechanism through which citizens are contacted for feedback. Progress on ADR and mediation initiatives, and updates on performance and security audits were also presented. Underscoring the importance of transparency, the Chief Justice reiterated that financial discipline and regular audits are essential to accountable institutional governance. He directed all departments to accelerate outstanding tasks ahead of the next review meeting, emphasizing that sustained and measurable progress is vital for maintaining public trust in the judiciary.
Reaffirming the Supreme Court’s commitment to a litigant-focused justice system, the Hon’ble Chief Justice noted that timely and effective adjudication is not only a constitutional obligation but also a moral responsibility. He commended the contributions of officers, technical teams, and partner institutions, and reiterated the judiciary’s resolve to foster innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity in building a justice system that is transparent, modern, and equitable.