ISLAMABAD, Aug 05 (APP): The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi, accompanied by Mr. Justice Junaid Ghaffar, Chief Justice of the High Court of Sindh, met today with a delegation of the Sindh High Court Bar Association at the Supreme Court Branch Registry, Karachi.
The delegation was led by SHC Bar Association President, Barrister Muhammad Sarfraz Ali Metlo and comprising Mr. Muhammad Rahib Lakho, Vice President, Mirza Sarfraz Ahmed, Honorary Secretary, Mr. Athar Ali Memon, Honorary Treasurer, Mr. Waseem Saif Khoso, Honorary Joint Secretary, Ms. Safia Qadir, Mr. Aamer Latif, Ms. Zahida Kamal Alvi, Mr. Muhammad Aamir Khosa, Mr. Rizwan Ali Rajpar, Mr. Muhammad Faisal Khan, Ms. Urooj Akhlaq, Mr. Deewan Tara Chand and Mr. Ubedullah Abro, Members Managing Committee and Mr. Rehan Aziz Malik, Ex-President.
According to a press note released here Tuesday, the Chief Justice of Pakistan warmly welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed that the Bench and Bar are integral components of a justice system. He stressed that the shared mission of delivering justice cannot be achieved without the close cooperation of the legal fraternity, assuring that he would not allow any factor to disrupt this vital meaningful partnership.
Briefing the delegation, the Chief Justice outlined the ongoing reform agenda being implemented through the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP). He apprised them of the measures taken for the welfare of the legal fraternity, including their inclusion in decision-making processes and policy development for the justice sector. Notable initiatives include the solarization of bar premises and the integration of IT solutions (e-libraries) to enhance bar’s technical abilities in remote areas. It was reiterated that the decision was taken after a consultative process and collective input.
He further shared significant decisions taken at recent meetings of the LJCP and the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC), which he chaired. These decisions include ackling the issue of enforced disappearances and the creation of a dedicated committee to propose an institutional response; directives to High Courts to devise mechanisms to safeguard judges from external influence; establishment of Commercial Litigation Corridors and Model Criminal Trial Courts for speedy adjudication; timelines for the disposal of 13 categories of cases; piloting a Double-Docket Court Regime; institutionalization of court-annexed mediation; and adoption of a Professional Excellence Index to elevate. Additionally, the NJPMC formed a committee for standardization of recruitment, training, and service conditions for the district judiciary.
In response, the President of the Sindh High Court Bar Association expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice for the initiatives undertaken for the legal community. He highlighted challenges faced by the fraternity and proposed the establishment of Model Civil Courts for the swift adjudication of the oldest civil cases. The Chief Justice welcomed these suggestions and assured that they would be placed before the relevant forums for due consideration.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to strengthening judicial efficiency, transparency, and accessibility, underscoring the indispensable partnership between the Bench and Bar in ensuring the effective delivery of justice.
