Tech integration into justice system to make court more efficient: CJP

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi highlighted that the integration of technology into the justice system is not simply a matter of modernisation but is essential to make courts more accessible, transparent, and efficient for the people they serve.

The CJP was speaking to a symposium titled, “Use of Technology in Judicial System in Pakistan: Prospects and Promises”, convened by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan at the Supreme Court building on Monday.

Justice Shahid Waheed, a judge Supreme Court presented an overview of the progress and evolution of information technology within Pakistan’s judicial system, highlighting the milestones achieved and the structural challenges that remain.

CJP Afridi described the symposium as timely and forward looking, aligning with the reform agenda to be deliberated by the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) in its forthcoming meeting.

He acknowledged the vital contributions of Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, judges of Supreme Court of Pakistan/ Chairman and Members of the National Judicial Automation Committee (NJAC), and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) for leading this initiative.

He also extended a warm welcome to international guests and expressed gratitude to Justice Zhang Jun, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of China, and Justice Kadir Ozkaya, the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of Türkiye, for their continued support and commitment to judicial cooperation.

Reflecting on the reforms under way, the chief justice highlighted the key digital innovations recently implemented by the Supreme Court, including 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. However, he also acknowledged ongoing challenges such as the digital divide, evolving legal frameworks, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

He stressed that resistance to technological change must not impede progress, and emphasised the need for a comprehensive national framework to guide judicial digital transformation including robust cybersecurity protocols, ethical guidelines for AI use, and a culture of collaboration involving High Courts, judicial academies, government institutions, academia, and the legal community.

The chief justice of Pakistan reaffirmed that the technology is a powerful tool to build institutional trust, eliminate barriers to access, and enhance the quality of justice. He called upon all stakeholders to move forward with unity and resolve to shape a judicial system that meets the needs of the present and earns the confidence of future generations.

The symposium served as a strong reaffirmation of the judiciary’s commitment to innovation, transparency, and citizen-centric justice. It featured perspectives from international experts, Li Xiaohui, an expert from the Supreme People’s Court of China, who shared China’s digital journey in judicial reforms. Prof Dr Hasan Mandal, Rector of Istanbul Technical University, Türkiye presented a global view on how courts are adopting technology, while Prof Dr Çetin Elmas of Gazi University, Türkiye, discussed the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in shaping the future of justice delivery.

Federal Secretary for Information Technology and Telecom Zarrar Hasham Khan outlined Pakistan’s digital infrastructure plans and emphasised inter-institutional collaboration to support justice sector transformation.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025