Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi on Monday addressed a judicial conference in Islamabad, marking the commencement[1] of the new judicial year.
The conference comes days after senior puisne judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah wrote a letter[2] to CJP Afridi, asking him to answer six questions he raised about judicial independence, the court’s rules[3] and policies[4], and the appeals[5] against the 26th Amendment.
Justice Afridi observed that the conference, initiated in 1970, provided the court with an opportunity to reflect on its performance. He said that after assuming the CJP’s office in October 2024, he felt the need for reforms, which were categorised based on “five principles”.
“We prioritised service delivery through technology, transparency in cases, and legal framework,” the CJP said. Noting that the apex court had eight sections, CJP Afridi said each section prioritised speedy justice.
Highlighting the meetings held to discuss the SC’s reform plan, the top judge said digital case-filing and case-tracking were among the measures raised.
“Everyone speaks of technology and artificial intelligence,” Justice Afridi said, adding that 61,000 files will be digitally screened under a project that will be completed within six months.
“Cases will be fixed using artificial intelligence,” he announced. However, he cautioned, the judiciary was “not yet ready” to utilise AI. The usage of AI would be initiated once the digital scanning project is completed, according to the CJP.
Justice Afridi also spoke of a facilitation centre, which will begin its operations on October 1 and will provide “all details” related to cases. Reiterating the need for speedy disposal of cases, he asserted: “We have always worked for the supremacy of the law.”
Emphasising that rules cannot be made within a single day, the judge said suggestions will be presented before a proposals committee, which would then make recommendations.
During his address, the chief justice also said the security provided to him and other judges has been reduced, as well as the protocols in Islamabad’s Red Zone, which houses key government buildings.
“I used to have nine security vehicles with me so, I said that this much security was not needed inside the Red Zone as it has the court and residences,” the top judge recalled, adding that now he only had two security vehicles.
He remarked that judges could need security when going outside of Islamabad, but not as much when in the Red Zone.
Indirectly responding to one of the questions raised in Justice Shah’s letter on the CJP having powers to grant or refuse judges’ leaves, Justice Afridi said: “The matter of judges’ leaves is clearly stated in the Supreme Court Rules.
“No judge needs permission [for leave] during judicial holidays, but other than that, it is required to inform [the court] about it.”
Just last month, the SC issued a number of policy decisions taken between Oct 26, 2024 and Aug 12, 2025. One such decision, reflected in a General Standing Order dated July 29, 2025, amended the Supreme Court Judges (Leave, Pension and Privileges) Order 1997, empowering the CJP[6] to grant or refuse leave, whether within or outside Pakistan, or to revoke or curtail leave already granted to judges of the court.
Continuing his speech, Justice Afridi noted that the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) had decided on 64 complaints against judges, 72 had been referred to the council’s members, and 65 were pending, which would be considered in the SJC meeting later this month.
Stating that the court was taking up cases on a “first-come, first-served” basis, the top judge clarified that the court would not hear cases out of their order.
More to follow
References
- ^ marking the commencement (www.dawn.com)
- ^ wrote a letter (www.dawn.com)
- ^ rules (www.dawn.com)
- ^ policies (www.dawn.com)
- ^ appeals (www.dawn.com)
- ^ empowering the CJP (www.dawn.com)