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Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
AI should support, not replace, human judgment in courts: Justice Aurangzeb
Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb of the Supreme Court of Pakistan underscored the critical need for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to serve as a tool to assist, rather than replace, human judgment in the judicial system. Speaking at the Annual Symposium for Judges on Thursday, Justice Aurangzeb said while AI is 'undoubtedly the need of the hour,' it must be implemented with care, ensuring that human intellect and reasoning remain central to judicial decision-making. The symposium was organised by the Ministry of Law & Justice in collaboration with the Federal Judicial Academy and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The event brought together jurists and policymakers to explore the evolving landscape of digital justice in Pakistan. IHC concerned at govt failure to recover missing persons Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law & Justice, lauded the symposium's focus on digital transformation and the empowerment of the judiciary. 'Judges, as guardians of justice, must be at the heart of innovation in the legal system,' he said, adding that the responsible use of technology could enhance transparency, responsiveness, and inclusiveness, without compromising fairness or constitutional values. Federal Secretary for Law & Justice, Raja Naeem Akbar, who chaired the opening session, reaffirmed the government's commitment to modernising legal infrastructure. He spotlighted ongoing digital initiatives, including the Pakistan Code, the Document Retrieval System (DRS), and the Case Assignment and Management System (CAMS). In his welcome address, the Director General of the Federal Judicial Academy emphasised the importance of keeping pace with technological evolution. 'History shows that societies that adapt endure—those that don't, fade,' he said. The day-long symposium featured a series of panel discussions and presentations focused on integrating technology into judicial processes while preserving the rule of law.
Express Tribune
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Judicial reforms must ensure timely justice, says CJP
Listen to article The Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has emphasised that litigants are key stakeholders in the justice system and must be treated with dignity and respect. He made the remarks during a consultative meeting with senior judicial officials on improving access to justice. The chief justice underscored that reforms should not only ease case backlogs but also ensure timely and effective justice. The meeting, attended by top officials including Supreme Court Registrar Muhammad Saleem Khan and Federal Judicial Academy Director General, reviewed ongoing judicial reforms and digitalisation efforts. Discussions highlighted progress in digital case filing, transparency, and accountability. The IT Directorate briefed participants on integrating new technologies to make judicial processes more efficient. A statement from the meeting noted that enhancing accessibility and efficiency remains a top priority. Currently, around 57,000 cases are pending before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, with an additional 2.4 million awaiting resolution in other courts across the country. According to the office of the registrar, 27,312 cases were fixed and 12,109 disposed of between 28 Oct 2024 and 7 March 2025 while 7,370 new cases were instituted in the same period. Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi's push for judicial reforms aims to address the ongoing backlog and modernise the justice system. Key reforms include the introduction of advanced information technology, such as the e-Affidavit system to streamline filing processes and reduce delays, and a Case Management System that allows litigants and lawyers to access certified copies instantly. Additionally, feedback mechanisms involving legal professionals and the public have been implemented to strengthen trust in the system.
Express Tribune
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Five SC officers on deputation repatriated to LHC
Five judicial officers, who were the members of senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah in the Federal Judicial Academy (FJA), have been repatriated to their parent department which is the Lahore High Court. "In exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (3) of Section 11 of the Federal Judicial Academy Act, 1997 (XXVIII of 1997), the Hon'ble Chief Justice of Pakistan/Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Judicial Academy is pleased to repatriate the Judicial Officers, currently posted at Federal Judicial Academy, Islamabad on deputation, to their parent department," says the notification issued by Director General FJA Hayat Ali Shah on the instruction of CJP Yahya Afridi. These judicial officers are District and Sessions Judge Jazeela Aslam, Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Amir Munir, Additional District and Sessions Judge Dr Rai Muhammad Khan, Additional District and Sessions Judge Raja Jahanzaib Akhtar and Civil Judge/Judicial Magistrate Shazia Munawar Makhdoom. The officers shall report to the Lahore High Court on availing usual joining time, as admissible under the rules. Their repatriation is being considered as result of ongoing clash between CJP Afridi and Justice Shah who is also replaced with Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb as in charge of the FJA. The relationship between two top SC judges are not cordial for the last couple of months. Even there are reports that Justice Shah did not attend Iftar dinner given by CJP Afridi at CJP house last week. One source claims that Justice Shah and Justice Athar Minallah were not invited at the dinner. Earlier, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah could not fly to Saudi Arabia for attending two events at the arbitration for want of ex- Pakistan leave. Justice Shah was invited to deliver key notes at two events at the Arbitration week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia organised by the Al Baraka Forum and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation- Arbitration Center (OIC-AC). During the week, Justice Shah also wanted to perform Umrah before the start of the holy month of Ramazan. The senior puisne judge had made a request to CJP Yahya Afridi for ex-Pakistan leave well in time, which remained unanswered, compelling Justice Mansoor to cancel his trip to Saudi Arabia as his leaves could not be sanctioned. Likewise, four justices, who opposed the elevation of high court judges to the apex court, have been removed from key administrative committees under CJP Yahya Afridi's restructuring plan. CJP Afridi reconstituted several committees, replacing senior justices with junior ones. Those excluded from critical roles included Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi. Lawyers consider that this is clash between beneficiaries and aggrieved judges of 26th constitutional amendment. Had CJP Afridi constituted a full court to hear petitions against the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the situation might have been differently, said the legal experts. Two judges, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar, who formed the majority in the relevant committee, had ordered the constitution of a full court to hear the petitions in the first week of November. However, instead of listing the case, CJP Afridi convened a meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to select judges for the constitutional bench. The constitutional bench has yet to decide petitions against 26th constitutional amendment. Subsequently, a three-judge bench led by Justice Shah had raised question if the regular bench could be barred to adjudicate the matters related to the interpretation of law and Constitution after 26th Constitutional Amendment. However, the case was withdrawn from that regular bench by the committees. A division bench of the apex court led by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah held that the members of both committees violated the judicial order and withdrew the case from regular bench. The bench remarked that committees' members have committed the contempt; therefore, the full court should be constituted to initiate the proceedings. However, the members of constitutional bench were visibly upset and they set aside the regular bench's judicial orders. Recently, the federal government also filed intra court appeals against regular bench orders in contempt matter. Lawyers believe that clash among SC judges intensified after the issuance of contempt notice to Additional Registrar Nazar Abbas. They also say that if the clash among senior SC judges continues, the superior judiciary will be further weakened and the situation will be favourable for the beneficiaries of 26th Constitutional Amendment.
