Justice Yahya Afridi’s Vision for Judicial Reforms
Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi recently met with members of the Supreme Court Press Association to discuss his vision for enhancing judicial efficiency and accessibility. During this meeting, CJP Afridi emphasized the importance of addressing missing persons’ cases, particularly in Balochistan, which had left him deeply shaken during visits to Gwadar and Quetta.
Prioritizing Missing Persons’ Cases
In response to the concerns raised by missing persons’ cases, Justice Afridi promised to prioritize these cases and stressed the significance of acknowledging Sindhi and Balochi judges. He also announced plans to offer free legal aid to underprivileged litigants, highlighting the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring justice for all.
Reforms and Challenges in the Judiciary
Justice Afridi highlighted the need for reforms, including improved case management and the use of digital tools to keep litigants updated on their cases. He revealed that urgent requests were being streamlined, with judges successfully clearing 8,000 cases in a short period. Additionally, he proposed the creation of special benches for election disputes, criminal cases, and tax matters to expedite the judicial process.
Addressing the challenges faced by the judiciary, Justice Afridi expressed regret over prisoners’ complaints about prolonged trials and pledged to expedite older cases through daily special bench hearings. He also announced the reactivation of the Supreme Judicial Council to address complaints against judges and commended Justice Mansoor Ali Shah for his efforts in advancing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Unity and Progress in the Judiciary
Reflecting on the judiciary’s progress, Justice Afridi acknowledged past tensions but remained optimistic about the future. He emphasized the importance of moving forward with collective wisdom and expressed confidence that the judiciary would overcome the challenges posed by intense case backlogs.
As Justice Yahya Afridi works towards implementing these reforms and addressing the concerns surrounding missing persons’ cases in Balochistan, the judiciary continues to strive for justice and efficiency for all.
