Judge Yahya Afridi. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has pointed out that protracted tax litigation not only limits fiscal space but also undermines investor confidence and economic stability.
He has underlined the judiciary’s commitment to reforms that promote timely justice, efficiency and predictability, particularly in matters that directly affect the national economy.
According to a statement issued by the Supreme Court on Saturday, CJP Afridi on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to deliberate on strategic reforms aimed at expeditious disposal of high-impact tax litigation that has significant implications for the national economy.
The meeting was attended by SC Judge Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman, FBR Member (Legal) and other senior officials.
Participants engaged in an in-depth discussion on developing a sustained institutional framework to address long-pending, high-value tax disputes, focusing on reducing litigation delays, improving legal certainty and safeguarding public revenue.
The meeting discussed key reform-oriented strategies, including prioritization and acceleration of high-risk tax cases and better coordination between tax authorities and the judicial system.
Participants also discuss ways to strengthen legal preparation and case management and explore procedural and institutional measures to ensure consistency and speed in adjudication.
“The meeting is part of a broader judicial sector reform agenda, aimed at improving governance, reducing systemic delays and aligning judicial processes with the country’s economic and development priorities,” he said.
The CJP on Saturday also chaired a high-level meeting in Lahore “to advance judicial infrastructure reforms, with special focus on ensuring sustainable and uninterrupted power supply to district courts across Punjab.”
The meeting was attended by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, Punjab Chief Secretary, Punjab Finance Secretary, Energy Department Secretary, Member Planning Secretary and Social Welfare Department Secretary, besides other senior officials.
The agenda focused on government funding and policy support for solarization of district courts to ensure continuity of court services, especially in areas vulnerable to power outages.
During the meeting, the Punjab Chief Secretary strongly assured that the provincial government would ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity to courts across the province.
Where such supply cannot be reliably guaranteed, the government will provide solar energy solutions to keep court operations smooth, he said.
The CJP appreciated the proactive approach and strong commitment of the Punjab government, noting that reliable power infrastructure is essential for timely administration of justice, institutional efficiency and public confidence in the justice system.
He said the proposed measures would not only improve the functionality of the courts but also contribute to long-term sustainability, resilience and cost efficiency.
He stressed that judicial reforms require close coordination between the judiciary and the executive, and praised the spirit of collaboration demonstrated at the highest level.
