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ISLAMABAD, Jan 21 (APP):Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi chaired the ninth interactive progress review meeting at the Supreme Court of Pakistan to assess monthly progress under the Reform Action Plan (RAP) and to issue directions on pending initiatives aimed at modernizing the justice system and improving public-facing judicial services.
According to a press note released here Wednesday, the meeting was attended by the President and Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, the Registrar Supreme Court, IT Advisor Hamayun Zafar, section heads of the Supreme Court, the Director General of the Federal Judicial Academy, and the Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.
During the meeting, progress was reviewed on reducing case disposal time, case categorization, digitization of judicial records, IT integration, digitization of financial receipts and expenditures, audit mechanisms, and public facilitation initiatives. Updates were also shared on automation measures, including software enhancements, QR-coded certified copies, E-Courts, capacity-building initiatives in data management and analytics, as well as alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and mediation programs.
The chair was informed that tasks related to e-filing and issuance of certified copies had been completed. Case categorization is currently underway and is expected to be finalized within two months, while the bar-coding system for tracking files is scheduled to be completed within the next 15 days.
The meeting also reviewed the status of jail petitions and death sentence appeals. It was noted that when Justice Yahya Afridi assumed office on October 26, 2024, the number of pending death sentence cases stood at 384. This number has now been reduced to 107. During this period, 172 new death sentence cases were instituted, while 449 cases were disposed of. To ensure timely justice in matters involving the fundamental right to life, it was decided that all pending death sentence appeals would be decided within the next 45 days.
The meeting was informed that life imprisonment cases are being fixed simultaneously. The pendency of life sentence cases, which stood at 4,160 on October 26, 2024, has been reduced to 3,608 cases. After the disposal of death sentence appeals, benches will proceed to hear life imprisonment cases, with fixation volume and timelines to be determined separately. It was further decided that jail petitions filed by convicts aged 80 years and above would be fixed on a priority basis, subject to proof, without requiring an early hearing application.
Regarding delisting of cases, the meeting was informed that intimation would ordinarily be conveyed at least 48 hours prior to the fixed date, and advocates would ensure timely communication to the parties. In cases where delisting occurs within 24 hours, matters would, except on Fridays, be redistributed or re-fixed before other available benches. Where redistribution is not feasible, such cases would be fixed in the following week in accordance with the approved policy.
The meeting further decided that early hearing applications fulfilling the approved eight-point criteria and accompanied by complete supporting documents would be fixed directly without further follow-up. To further strengthen the fixation process, a proposed cause list will be issued one month in advance.
It was noted that digitization of records has largely been completed, the Public Facilitation Center is fully functional, and ADR, mediation, and e-payment initiatives are underway. Standardization and quality assurance processes are scheduled to be completed by August 30, 2026.
Reaffirming the Supreme Court’s commitment to a litigant-focused justice system, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi observed that timely and effective adjudication is both a constitutional obligation and a moral responsibility. He appreciated the cooperation of the Bar in providing soft copies of petitions, which facilitated e-filing and digitization of records, and commended the efforts of the judicial and ICT branches in advancing the reform agenda. He reiterated the judiciary’s resolve to promote innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity in building a transparent, modern, and equitable justice system.