Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has announced a groundbreaking legal aid program, ensuring representation for all litigants regardless of financial status, during a meeting with a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lawyers” delegation at the Supreme Court Branch Registry in Peshawar on Friday. The initiative will provide state-funded legal representation from Magistrate Courts to the Supreme Court, with bar associations nominating lawyers.
Justice Afridi, joined by the Peshawar High Court Chief Justice and registrars from both courts, met with representatives from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Bar Council, High Court Bar Association, and 35 District Bar Associations. He outlined ongoing justice sector reforms spearheaded by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), emphasizing the inclusion of bar representatives for enhanced policy-making.
The CJP shared key decisions from the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) meeting, addressing enforced disappearances with a dedicated response committee, protecting judicial officers from external pressures, and expediting case resolution through Commercial Litigation Corridors and Model Criminal Trial Courts. Additional reforms include faster processing of 13 case types, a pilot Double-Docket Court Regime, court-linked mediation, a Professional Excellence Index, standardized judicial appointments and instruction, biometric case verification, video link appearances for prisoners and witnesses, AI ethics guidelines, and improved judicial welfare.
Justice Afridi voiced concern over infrastructure deficiencies in underdeveloped districts, particularly the lack of solar energy and internet access, stressing the need to address regional disparities in justice provision. He also promoted the Federal Judicial Academy’s Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs for lawyers” professional development.
Addressing the delegation’s concerns, the Chief Justice pledged collaboration with relevant bodies to resolve their issues, reaffirming the judiciary”s dedication to transparency, access to justice, and collaborative reform.