Pakistan’s top judicial commission has raised serious concerns over conflicting judgments on similar legal issues, warning that such inconsistencies are undermining the principle of judicial precedent and creating confusion for subordinate courts. The observation was made during the 46th meeting of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Friday.

The high-level gathering focused on a comprehensive agenda for legal reform, emphasizing the need to update the Code of Criminal Procedure and Family Laws to align with the evolving needs of society. The commission stressed that these modifications are crucial for streamlining legal processes, protecting citizens’ rights, and enhancing fairness in the dispensation of justice.

The meeting was attended by a distinguished group of legal experts, including the Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court, Chief Justices of all High Courts, the Attorney General for Pakistan, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Law and Justice. Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court, Khawaja Haris Ahmed, Kamran Murtaza, and Muhammad Munir Paracha, also participated.

The commission endorsed proposed legislative changes to family laws, noting they would accelerate the resolution of family disputes and improve the efficacy of family courts. Additionally, it highlighted the necessity of amending the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984, to formally permit the admissibility of evidence gathered through modern technological devices.

In an administrative move, the commission reviewed the draft LJCP Employees (Terms and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2025. A committee, comprising the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court and senior advocate Muhammad Munir Paracha, was formed to finalize the draft and submit its recommendations.

Earlier, CJP Yahya Afridi also presided over the 21st meeting of the Governing Body of the Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF). The body was briefed on a massive surge in financial activity, with Rs. 1,462.3 million disbursed for infrastructure development between July 2024 and September 2025 alone.

This recent disbursement for court-related facilities for litigants, lawyers, and judicial officers, along with an additional Rs. 151 million for under-developed districts, reflects a significant new momentum. Since its inception in 2005, the fund has allocated a total of Rs. 904.7 million for district judiciary infrastructure and Rs. 166.5 million for special projects.

Chief Justice Afridi concluded by commending the LJCP Secretariat for its outstanding performance in managing the AJDF and reinforcing institutional support for the nation’s judiciary.