Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has underscored the critical role of technology in transforming the country’s justice system, declaring it essential for making courts more accessible, transparent, and efficient. His remarks came during a high-profile symposium titled “Use of Technology in Judicial System in Pakistan: Prospects and Promises,” held at the Supreme Court and organized by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.
The event brought together members of the judiciary, international experts, and senior government officials to discuss the future of judicial reforms through digital innovation. CJP Afridi described the symposium as both timely and forward-looking, aligning with the reform agenda set to be discussed by the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) in its upcoming meeting.
The Chief Justice acknowledged the efforts of Supreme Court judges Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Shahid Waheed, and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, as well as the National Judicial Automation Committee and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, for spearheading these initiatives. He also welcomed international guests, expressing gratitude to China’s Supreme People’s Court Chief Justice Zhang Jun and Türkiye’s Constitutional Court Chief Justice Kadir Ozkaya for their ongoing support and commitment to judicial cooperation.
Highlighting recent digital advancements, Justice Yahya pointed to the Supreme Court’s adoption of e-filing, QR codes on judgments, expanded video-link hearings, the launch of a citizen feedback portal, and the use of data analytics for case management. He noted, however, that challenges remain, including the digital divide, evolving legal frameworks, and cybersecurity concerns.
CJP Afridi reaffirmed that technology is a powerful tool for building institutional trust, removing barriers to justice, and improving the quality of judicial services. He called on all stakeholders to work together with unity and determination to create a justice system that meets contemporary needs and inspires confidence in future generations.
Earlier in the symposium, Justice Shahid Waheed provided an overview of the progress and challenges in integrating IT into Pakistan’s judicial system. International experts also shared their perspectives: Ms. Li Xiaohui from China’s Supreme People’s Court discussed China’s digital judicial reforms; Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal, Rector of Istanbul Technical University, offered a global perspective on technology in courts; and Prof. Dr. Çetin Elmas of Türkiye’s Gazi University explored the growing influence of artificial intelligence in justice delivery.
Federal Secretary for Information Technology and Telecom, Zarrar Hasham Khan, outlined Pakistan’s digital infrastructure plans and stressed the importance of inter-institutional collaboration to support the ongoing transformation of the justice sector.
