Chief Justice of Pakistan, Yahya Afridi, announced the establishment of separate benches aimed at the swift resolution of taxation cases. Speaking to reporters from the Press Association of Supreme Court (PAS) on Monday, he highlighted the collaborative efforts with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and chartered accountants to create an effective mechanism for the quick handling of tax-related matters.
A major concern raised by the Chief Justice is the tendency of the FBR to take cases to the High Courts even after the Supreme Court has rendered final decisions, causing prolonged delays in the judicial process.
In addition to taxation cases, CJP Afridi noted that special benches have been formed to address criminal and electoral cases as well. He metaphorically described the Supreme Court as a “Titanic,” suggesting that while it cannot be fundamentally changed, there is potential for meaningful reform to steer it in a better direction.
During his recent visit to district courts in remote areas of Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab, he was struck by the community’s demand for solutions to missing person cases, particularly in Gwadar and Quetta. CJP Afridi vowed to prioritize these cases and underscored the need for representation of Sindhi and Balochi judges, as well as providing free legal aid to disadvantaged litigants.
Acknowledging shortcomings within the judiciary, Afridi stated that maturity is necessary for its improvement. He emphasized the importance of constructive criticism while urging journalists to fact-check their reports before publication.
Justice Afridi pointed out that each Supreme Court judge functions independently and called for reforms that include enhanced case management and the use of digital tools. This would allow litigants to receive updates through email and WhatsApp notifications from the point of filing to the final decision. He mentioned that reforms are already underway in the apex court.
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Addressing the current challenges faced by the judiciary, Justice Afridi shared that urgent requests are being streamlined, resulting in judges clearing approximately 8,000 cases in a brief timeframe. He expressed concern over prisoners’ grievances about extended trial durations and committed to accelerating the resolution of older cases through daily special bench hearings.
Furthermore, the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has been reactivated to handle complaints against judges, with ongoing inquiries into certain cases. Afridi mentioned a consensus among SJC members for decisive action against frivolous and scandalous litigations.
He praised Justice Mansoor Ali Shah for pioneering alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, advocating for training programs for retired judges and initiating the system in Islamabad before expanding it throughout the country.
Reflecting on judicial unity, Afridi acknowledged past conflicts but expressed optimism for the judiciary’s future. He noted that, despite the tensions arising from challenging cases over the last three to four years, “time will heal; we must move forward with collective wisdom.” He concluded by stating that the judiciary is on the path to recovery from a period marked by significant case backlogs.