Top judges' body forms panel to address missing persons issue

The National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) unanimously decided to address the issue of enforced disappearances, establishing a special committee to formulate an institutional response in collaboration with the executive.

Chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the body convened its 53rd meeting to discuss key judicial reforms on Friday.

The committee approved several initiatives aimed at enhancing the judicial system, including the establishment of a "Commercial Litigation Corridor" for faster resolution of business disputes and the introduction of "Model Criminal Trial Courts" for expediting criminal cases.

Also Read: Islamabad court suspends YouTube ban on prominent journalists, critics

It also endorsed the creation of a pilot system for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and initiatives to standardise judicial procedures across districts.

A major focus was also placed on improving the inclusion of lawyers in the judicial process, including the development of a "Professional Excellence Index."

The committee further discussed the ethical implications of using Generative AI in court operations and tasked the National Judicial Automation Committee to draft a comprehensive ethical framework.

In terms of judicial infrastructure, the committee praised initiatives like the construction of women lawyers' bar rooms and daycare centers, along with health insurance for judges and their families.

Moreover, the committee decided that tax and financial-related constitutional cases would be handled by division benches in the High Courts instead of single benches.