Karachi: Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi, accompanied by Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar, Chief Justice of the High Court of Sindh, met on Tuesday with a delegation of the Sindh High Court Bar Associationat the Supreme Court Branch Registry, Karachi, led by its President, Barrister Muhammad Sarfraz Ali Metlo and comprising Muhammad Rahib Lakho, Vice President, Mirza Sarfraz Ahmed, Honorary Secretary, Athar Ali Memon, Honorary Treasurer, Waseem Saif Khoso, Honorary Joint Secretary, Ms. Safia Qadir, Aamer Latif, Ms. Zahida Kamal Alvi, Muhammad Aamir Khosa, Rizwan Ali Rajpar, Muhammad Faisal Khan, Ms. Urooj Akhlaq, Deewan Tara Chand and Ubedullah Abro, Members Managing Committee.
Chief Justice of Pakistan warmly welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed that the Bench and Bar are integral components of a justice system. He stressed that the shared mission of delivering justice cannot be achieved without the close cooperation of the legal fraternity, assuring that he would not allow any factor to d
isrupt this vital meaningful partnership.
Briefing the delegation, the Chief Justice outlined the ongoing reform agenda being implemented through the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP). He apprised them of the measures taken for the welfare of the legal fraternity, including their inclusion in decision-making processes and policy development for the justice sector. Notable initiatives include the solarization of bar premises and the integration of IT solutions (e-libraries) to enhance bar’s technical abilities in remote areas. It was reiterated that the decision was taken after a consultative process and collective input.
He further shared significant decisions taken at recent meetings of the LJCP and the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC), which he chaired. These decisions include tackling the issue of enforced disappearances and the creation of a dedicated committee to propose an institutional response; directives to High Courts to devise mechanisms to safeguard judges from ext
ernal influence; establishment of Commercial Litigation Corridors and Model Criminal Trial Courts for speedy adjudication; timelines for the disposal of 13 categories of cases; piloting a Double-Docket Court Regime; institutionalization of court-annexed mediation; and adoption of a Professional Excellence Index to elevate . Additionally, the NJPMC formed a committee forstandardization of recruitment, training, and service conditions for the district judiciary.
In response, the President of the Sindh High Court Bar Association expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice for the initiatives undertaken for the legal community. He highlighted challenges faced by the fraternity and proposed the establishment of Model Civil Courts for the swift adjudication of the oldest civil cases. The Chief Justice welcomed these suggestions and assured that they would be placed before the relevant forums for due consideration.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to strengthening judicial efficiency, transparency,
and accessibility, underscoring the indispensable partnership between the Bench and Bar in ensuring the effective delivery of justice.
Meanwhile Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting on the sustainable planning and feasibility of the proposed New Judicial Complex in Karachi, held at the Supreme Court Branch Registry, Karachi. The meeting was attended by Mohammad Salim Khan, Registrar Supreme Court of Pakistan; Suhail Muhammad Laghari, Registrar Sindh High Court; Zahoor Ahmed Hakro, District and Sessions Judge (DandSJ) Malir; Suresh Kumar, DandSJ South; Arshad Murtaza, DandSJ East; Abdul Naeem Memon, DandSJ Central; Mrs. Ambreen Aslam, DandSJ West; Sohail Ahmed Mashori, Additional Secretary (Resident), Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan; Tariq Rafi, the project architect; and Mohammad Arshad, Chief Engineer, Judicial Works (Communication and Works Department).
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Justice of Pakistan stated that the district judiciary forms th
e face of the justice sector, being the primary forum where citizens bring their disputes for adjudication. He emphasized that strengthening the district judiciary remains at the center of the ongoing reform agenda.
The Registrar Sindh High Court and the District and Sessions Judges briefed the Chair on the concept, necessity, and expected impact of the proposed project. The project architect presented the design framework, highlighting key features, amenities, and the proposed phased construction plan.
The Registrar Supreme Court observed that the district judiciary continues to face acute shortages in infrastructure and human resources. He reviewed the project’s financial and technical feasibility, stressing the importance of a citizen-centric approach to ensure the plan’s viability, cost-effectiveness, and practical benefits for litigants. He also underlined the need to consider transportation access, distance, and overall convenience for court users.
To ensure a well-integrated and sustainable outcome,
the Registrar recommended robust consultations with all stakeholders, including the legal fraternity and the provincial government, before proceeding to the next stages of the project.
The meeting concluded with consensus on the importance of careful planning, inclusive consultation, and a future-oriented vision for judicial infrastructure that would meet the needs of both the judiciary and the public it serves.