Pakistan’s Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has described the Supreme Court as a “Titanic” that cannot be fundamentally changed but can chart a better course with reforms.
During a meeting with members of the Supreme Court Press Association, he outlined his vision for improving judicial efficiency and accessibility, Express News reported.
During his visits to Gwadar and Quetta, CJP Afridi said the missing persons cases left him deeply shocked. He promised to give priority to such cases and stressed the importance of recognizing Sindhi and Balochi judges and at the same time offering free legal aid to underprivileged litigants.
Justice Afridi emphasized that each Supreme Court judge operates independently, urging constructive criticism rather than personal attacks.
He highlighted the need for reforms, including better case management and digital tools to keep litigants updated through email and WhatsApp notifications, from submission to final decision.
Addressing the challenges of the judiciary, Justice Afridi revealed that urgent applications are being streamlined and judges are resolving 8,000 cases in a short period.
He also proposed creating special courts for electoral disputes, criminal cases and tax matters.
The chief justice lamented prisoners’ complaints about lengthy trials and pledged to expedite older cases through daily special hearings.
The Supreme Council of the Judiciary has also been reactivated to deal with complaints against judges.
Justice Afridi praised Justice Mansoor Ali Shah for promoting alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, proposing training for retired judges and starting the system in Islamabad before expanding it to the entire country.
Reflecting on judicial unity, Afridi acknowledged past tensions but remained optimistic about the progress of the judiciary.
“Time will heal; we must move forward with collective wisdom,” he said, noting that the judiciary is recovering from a challenging period of intense case delays.
