Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has called for greater support for the district judiciary, describing it as the backbone of Pakistan’s justice system and the first point of contact between most citizens and state institutions.
Addressing a conference in Islamabad, Justice Afridi said confidence in the judiciary could not simply be inherited or declared. He said it had to be earned through integrity, competence, fairness, compassion and institutions that gave judges the resources and authority needed to perform their duties effectively.
Reflecting on visits to judicial posts in remote parts of the country after taking office, the chief justice said he had travelled to Chitral, Gwadar, Sadiqabad, Bahawalnagar and Nagarparkar. These visits, he said, highlighted a disconnect between district courts and the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC).
The NJPMC, established through an ordinance in 2002, is responsible for coordinating and harmonising judicial policy across the court system in coordination with the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.
Justice Afridi said the committee had the authority to formulate judicial policies and approve projects proposed by the district judiciary and financed through the Access to Justice Fund.
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He said district court projects had previously taken three to four months to receive approval, while some projects could not be completed because costs increased during the delay.
To address the issue, the NJPMC decided to appoint additional secretaries in each province to act as a link between the committee, high courts and district courts. A 21-day deadline was also introduced for approving projects and releasing funds through the Access to Justice Fund.
The chief justice said district courts were subsequently asked to submit a “wishlist” identifying their most urgent requirements. Four priorities emerged: uninterrupted electricity, reliable internet connectivity, essential facilities for women and access to clean drinking water.
The NJPMC decided to allocate funds for all four areas. Justice Afridi said around Rs900 million had been disbursed from the Access to Justice Fund during the previous 20 years, compared with Rs3.4 billion released within a single year for the four identified projects.
He said the committee had also introduced several measures to improve working conditions and facilities for judicial officers across Pakistan.
The chief justice said changes had been made to the code of conduct for judicial officers, along with a mechanism for dealing with what he described as “extraneous influence”.
Addressing judicial officers, Justice Afridi assured honest judges that they were not alone. At the same time, he made clear that the assurance would not apply to judicial officers who themselves attempted to seek outside influence.
A judicial officer, he said, was expected to remain independent and should not be approachable by any extraneous influence.
Justice Afridi also highlighted efforts to improve basic facilities in courts. He said all tehsil courts in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad had been equipped with solar power.
Balochistan, he said, faced logistical challenges in transporting solar equipment to remote locations. However, the provincial chief justice had assured him that the remaining work would be completed within 30 days.
The CJP also called for similar facilities to be extended to bar associations. Where electricity was available in court premises, he said, it should not be limited to courtrooms but should also be accessible to bar associations.
Justice Afridi expressed concern over Pakistan’s poor position in the Rule of Law Index, describing the country’s ranking as “dismal”.
Recalling his visit to Nagarparkar, he pointed to a remote court where solar electricity, internet connectivity, a women’s facilitation centre and clean water were available. He questioned what factors were being measured in international assessments when such facilities were being provided even in some of Pakistan’s most distant areas.
According to the chief justice, five of the eight pillars assessed by the Rule of Law Index relate to the judiciary. He said the NJPMC had therefore decided to compile empirical data on the performance and facilities of district courts.
The committee, he said, would provide the data to the relevant commission before future rankings were prepared, allowing conditions on the ground to be reflected more accurately.
Justice Afridi also announced commendations for judicial officers who had demonstrated exceptional performance. The recipients were nominated by the respective high courts.
He paid tribute to Judge Hakeem Kakar, who was martyred in July while travelling to Mastung. Justice Afridi said the most meaningful way to honour him and other judicial officers who had made sacrifices was to remain committed to the rule of law and continue serving the people of Pakistan.
The chief justice also urged assessors responsible for the Rule of Law Index to take into account the sacrifices and working conditions of judicial officers serving in Pakistan’s most remote regions. He offered assistance in facilitating visits to such areas for a better understanding of conditions on the ground.
Concluding his address, Justice Afridi praised the country’s district judges and judicial officers, saying: “I am proud of you, district judiciary.”
