Judiciary vows to counter 'external influence'

The National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) has decided to protect judicial officers from external influence and asked the high courts to establish structured mechanisms for reporting and redressing such instances within a stipulated timeframe.

A statutory body responsible for formulating and implementing judicial policy, the NJPMC held its 53rd meeting on Friday at the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi was attended by chief justices of all provincial high courts as well as the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The additional attorney general for Pakistan (AAGP) also attended the moot on special invitation.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, the NJPMC also took serious notice of enforced disappearances in the country. The committee unanimously resolved that the judiciary would not compromise on its constitutional duty to safeguard fundamental rights.

In this regard, it formed a dedicated committee to formulate an institutional response, after taking into consideration concerns of the executive, to be communicated through the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP).

The committee deliberated on key policy issues and adopted several significant measures to improve judicial performance, technology integration in judicial processes and citizen-centric justice delivery.

To improve the commercial dispute resolution landscape, the NJPMC approved the establishment of Commercial Litigation Corridor, with specialized courts and benches.

In line with its commitment to expeditious justice, it endorsed the piloting of a Double-Docket Court Regime in select districts on need basis with optional participation.

The framework for Model Criminal Trial Courts was also approved to address long-pending criminal cases through time-bound trials and optimized judicial resources.

In a major step towards strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), the committee approved launch of a court-annexed mediation regime as a pilot project. This includes the establishment of district mediation facilities, family court mediation centers and standardized SOPs for operational purposes.

To ensure consistency and excellence in the district judiciary, the NJPMC constituted a committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge, Justice (retd) Rehmat Hussain Jafferi.

It will recommend key performance indicators aligned with international benchmarks, standardized recruitment and training mechanisms, address disparities in service conditions and propose a framework for the District Judiciary Policy Forum as well as overseas exposure opportunities for judges.

The committee also includes Balochistan High Court (BHC) chief justice, registrars of the high courts and the Federal Judicial Academy director general.

The committee also approved the development of a Professional Excellence Index for talent hunt of lawyers for induction in judiciary and asked the high courts to finalize their models within 30 days.

The ethical and policy implications of using generative AI in judicial functions were discussed, and the National Judicial Automation Committee (NJAC) was asked to finalize a comprehensive charter on ethical use of AI in this regard.

The committee appreciated Punjab inspector general of police for his detailed presentation proposing various reform intervention on behalf of all the IGPs of the provinces and Islamabad.

It also decided that the high courts shall issue standard operating procedures (SOPs) for attendance of under trial prisoners and official witnesses through video link.

It was also decided that the federal and provincial judicial academies shall conduct trainings for police officers including district police officers on request of the respective IGPs.

On the request of the AAGP, the NJPMC decided that all constitutional petitions pertaining to tax and financial matters shall be heard and decided by high court division benches instead of single benches.

The NJPMC appreciated the initiatives of the Lahore High Court regarding construction of female bar rooms, daycare center and health insurance for judges and their family members. It was decided that all the high courts will approach their respective provincial governments for similar facilities.

It was also decided that the NJPMC Secretariat shall take up the proposal of consultation with the presiding office before transfer of ministerial staff of the administrative courts and tribunals with the federal government.

"The NJPMC reaffirmed its commitment to a progressive, transparent and responsive judicial system, rooted in constitutional values and guided by the rule of law," it added.