Standardised national e-filing framework: SC begins consultations with bar bodies

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan initiated a consultative process with the bar associations to develop a standardised national e-filing framework, a move that is aimed at establishing a common and integrated approach to electronic filing across the judicial hierarchy.

A high-level consultative meeting was held on Wednesday at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which was chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, in his capacity as Chairman, National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC).

The Chair emphasized that, as a key stakeholder and principal user of the judicial filing system, the Bar was being engaged at the very inception of the initiative, so that its practical experience and requirements could inform the development of the framework from the outset. The participants were briefed that the proposed Standardized National E-Filing System is intended to establish a common, structured and rules-compliant filing framework across the Supreme Court, High Courts and District Courts.

Building on the experience of the Supreme Court’s existing e-Filing system, the proposed framework seeks to extend its benefits across the judicial hierarchy through uniform national standards, greater procedural consistency and an integrated digital case-filing process.

Also read: Failure to remove objections: SC dismisses large number of FBR petitions

It was further explained that, following consultation with and consensus among the key stakeholders, the proposed framework would be placed before the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) for consideration and appropriate policy direction.

The Representatives of the Bar welcomed the initiative and emphasized that standardization would facilitate advocates and litigants through simpler filing, effective case tracking and a unified electronic case record. They also stressed the importance of ensuring that the proposed templates reflect the practical requirements of judges, court staff, advocates and litigants.

It was agreed that a Committee comprising representatives of the Bar Councils, Supreme Court Bar Association and Registrars of the Supreme Court and High Courts would work towards finalizing the Standardized National E-Filing Templates. The respective Bar Councils will consult their members and present their views at the next meeting scheduled for 20 August 2026.

The Chief Justice appreciated the constructive participation of the Bar and emphasized that meaningful engagement with the Bar would remain central to developing a standardized, user-focused and effective national e-Filing framework.

The initiative forms part of the broader judicial reform agenda to standardize and integrate court processes across the judicial hierarchy and leverage technology to make justice more accessible, efficient and predictable.

The meeting was attended by Pir Muhammad Masood Chishti, Vice Chairman, Pakistan Bar Council; Muneer Ahmed Malik, Chairman Executive Committee, Pakistan Bar Council; Haroon Rasheed, President, Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan; Syed Rafaqat Hussain Shah and AftabAlamYasir, Advocates-on-Record, Supreme Court of Pakistan; Chaudhry Arshad Ali Hanjra, Chairman Executive Committee, Punjab Bar Council; Ayaz Hussain Tunio, Chairman Executive Committee, Sindh Bar Council; Babar Khan Yousafzai, Member, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council; and Jadain Dashti, Vice Chairman, Balochistan Bar Council, along with senior officers of the Supreme Court and Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026