SCBA welcomes PM-CJ meeting

Lauds top judge's efforts toward creating a robust judicial system

ISLAMABAD:

A day after a rare meeting between Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) Yahya Afridi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a delegation led by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) present called on the top judge and expressed its appreciation for the meeting that focused on legal and judicial reforms.

According to an official statement, SCBA President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta met with Justice Yahya Afridi on Thursday. Atta was accompanied by SCBA Senior Vice President Nadeem Qureshi and Balochistan Bar Council member Khalil Panezai.

"The meeting encapsulated discussions on a range of issues concerning the overall performance of the judiciary. President SCBAP hailed the Chief Justice of Pakistan for his initiatives taken for the efficient functioning of the court, which have effectively resulted in the reduction of longstanding pendency."

The SCBA president "expressed his appreciation" for the meeting between the CJ and the PM, "which aimed to focus on the judicial and law reforms necessary for establishing an efficient and effective judicial system".

He said these reforms are not only need of the hour but extremely essential for prompt dispensation of justice to the general public at the grassroots level. Atta suggested that to make the most of such policies, consistency in their implementation is crucial.

"In the end, he reasserted his full confidence and support for the Chief Justice of Pakistan on behalf of SCBAP and the entire legal fraternity, commending the Chief Justice's efforts toward creating a robust judicial system aimed at improving overall effectiveness and efficiency," it added.

In an unprecedented move, PM Shehbaz on Wednesday requested CJ Yahya Afridi for expeditious disposal of tax-related cases on merit.

The request was made during a meeting between the country's top chief executive and the top adjudicator wherein the issue of tax-related cases that had been pending for adjudication, for long, in different courts of the country came under discussion.

As of January 2025, as many as 33,522 cases worth Rs4.7 trillion are pending nationwide in various courts and tribunals. According to a press release issued by the Supreme Court, the premier visited the chief justice's house at the invitation of the CJP Afridi.

During the meeting, the CJ shared the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) and sought the input of the government.