‘IT helped courts function amid Covid’
PHOTO: FILE
Supreme Court Justice Ijazul Ahsan has said that easy access to justice is imperative for its dispensation.
He was addressing a conference organised by Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), with support from the Federal Republic of Germany under the ‘Technology for Justice Forum’ where Judges, lawmakers and lawyers were present.
The conference was dedicated to the promotion of technology-based innovations to bring legal reforms in Pakistan and finding ways to strengthen the legal system by incorporating technological solutions.
Justice Ahsan said that in addition to depending upon the technology, thinking outside the routine was also important. A judge should be competent for the provision of justice, he added.
He revealed that he was not a user of social media and he still used a Hotmail account.
The judge said the courts across Pakistan did not close their doors during Covid-19 and continued work at the same pace.
The Supreme Court introduced online video link proceedings during Covid-19.
“We covered a lot of distance and we still have to cover a lot more. The technology helped us during Covid and still we are collaborating with information technology experts,” he added.
Lahore High Court Justice Ali Baqar Najafi said, “During the past 20 years we have moved to computerised systems and the pace at which things have progressed and the point where we are now is of great significance in the legal system.” He said the time had come to utilise technology in the legal system.
“We properly utilised technology during Covid so following this experience we can say the things have changed a lot. Distance does not have an importance now,” he said.
The judge expressed pleasure over knowing that lawyers were also happy over the use of video link in courts.
“We are also making efforts to establish an online system of filing writ petitions,” he said.
Punjab government spokesperson Hasaan Khawar said technology was bringing about a revolution in the world and rule of law was the foundation for any society to function.
He said the large number of prisoners was one of the major problems of the government.
Senator Ali Zafar said should be seen how the use of technology could work to minimise the common people’s problems.
“Our basic and major problem is the delay in dispensation of justice. I have told Prime Minister Imran Khan that our party is a symbol of justice so we should also serve to reduce the problems facing our judiciary.”
He said the prime minister was willing to work for improvement of the justice system.
JPP Chief Executive Sara Bilal said the organisation was trying to provide facilities of technology to prisoners.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2022.