The judicial reforms agenda is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the Supreme Court and restoring the judiciary’s standing in the World Justice Index, SC Registrar Muhammad Salim Khan said on Monday.
“The chief justice [of Pakistan], since assuming office, has prioritised brainstorming with stakeholders across the justice sector to identify and address challenges in judicial operations,” he said during an interactive session with the heads of various sections of SC in Islamabad.
In November last year, Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi formed committees comprising judges and experts to devise a plan for clearing 59,435 cases pending in the apex court, including over 3,000 related to revenue and taxation.
It merits here mentioning that the SC has adopted the Case Management Plan 2023 — a brainchild of senior puisne judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah — to address the growing backlog of cases in the top court.
The SC registrar praised participants contributions, submitted in print format. “These reforms focus on digitalising court processes, improving accessibility, streamlining procedures, ensuring accountability, and fostering greater transparency in judicial operations,” it said.
Development expert Sher Shah, who accompanied the registrar in the meeting, emphasised that the reforms are designed “not only to minimise case pendency but also to ensure that litigants receive timely and effective justice.”
He underscored that “litigants are the core stakeholders of the justice system and must be treated with utmost respect to highlight the institution’s commitment to justice and reinforce its soft image.”
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Shah went on to add that respectfulness and fair treatment of litigants was essential for restoring public trust and showcasing the judiciary as a “reliable and people-centric institution.”
The session also addressed areas of reform, including advancements in IT infrastructure, improvements in case management systems, capacity building for staff, and the introduction of training programs.
An initiative discussed was the launch of the “Online Feedback Form – Stakeholders’ Engagement for Judicial Reform,” available on the Supreme Court’s official website. The platform invites people to share suggestions and insights to enhance service delivery and foster meaningful engagement.
