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Hon’ble Mr Justice Yahya Afridi, Chief Justice of Pakistan/ Chairman Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan chairing the 56th meeting of National Judicial Policy Making Committee at Supreme Court of Pakistan today 13.12.2025
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, December 13, 2025 - Hon’ble the Chief Justice of Pakistan chaired the 56th meeting of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC), which was convened today at the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The meeting was attended by the Chief Justices of all the High Courts, while the Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan attended on special invitation. The Chair expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan for joining and enlightening the forum with his wisdom.
The Committee deliberated on key policy issues, while reviewing implementation status of the decisions taken in its 55th meeting. The Committee unanimously reiterated its resolve to strengthen institutional capacity, accelerate access to justice, and ensure efficient and effective justice delivery.
The following decisions were taken unanimously;
1. Institutional Response on Cases of Enforced Disappearances
The Forum appreciated that the Government has taken effective steps to address the issue. It was decided that Attorney General for Pakistan shall present a comprehensive mechanism, to redress complaints of non-compliance with legal requirement of production of a detained person before a Magistrate within twenty-four hours, in the next meeting.
2. Commercial Litigation Corridor (CLC)
The Committee reviewed the recommendations of the Sub-Committee constituted to address protracted litigation and injunctive orders in commercial, revenue, and fiscal cases. The Sub Committee’s report highlighted key reforms, including establishment of dedicated benches, curtailment of frivolous litigation, constitution of a screening committee at the FBR level, avoidance of coercive revenue targets for state-owned enterprises, and improvements in tribunal structures. The Sub Committee’s report was shared with all the High Courts for input, who endorsed unanimously.
The NJPMC appreciated endorsement by the High Courts and unanimously decided to implement the recommendations. LJCP was directed to share the recommendations with FBR for implementation. The LJCP was also directed to approach the FBR with a request to set in place a mechanism for taxation and revenue case management at each High Court on the pattern of Supreme Court of Pakistan.
3. Timelines for Disposal of Different Categories of Cases
The Committee lauded the disposal of 5,58,474 out of 12,53,425 cases of specified categories within the notified timeframe during the preceding quarter, which is reflective of the strong commitment of the High Courts.
The Forum placed on record its special appreciation for Lahore High Court for deciding record number of 465455 cases in the notified categories.
Peshawar High Court was also commended for the initiatives undertaken for prioritizing inheritance cases and double docket regime.
The Committee appreciated the feedback from the High Courts, indicating average time taken for disposal of selected categories of cases including; issuance of succession certificate, inheritance cases of females and execution of decree for recovery of maintained and dower.
It was unanimously decided that the timelines already fixed by the NJPMC for disposal of all such cases, as per table below, shall be followed in letter and spirit.
| Sr # | Category | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Declaratory Suit (Inheritance Disputes) | 12 Months |
| 2 | Family Suit (Dissolution / Dower / Maintenance) | 06 Months |
| 3 | Succession Cases (Uncontested) | 02 Months |
| 4 | Execution Petitions / Family Court Decree | 06 Months |
Similarly, the Committee asked the High Courts to dispose of the oldest succession cases up to the year 2019 within the 30 days, under intimation to LJCP.
4. Establishment of Model Trial Courts
The Committee appreciated the High Courts for establishing Model Trial Courts for disposal of chronic civil and criminal cases. The performance of model courts over the preceding quarter, as per the following table, was commended unanimously.
The Forum acknowledged the efforts undertaken by the Lahore High Court in disposal of highest number of cases in each category.
| S# | High Court | Civil Cases Disposal | Criminal Cases Disposal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lahore High Court | 6,246 | 22,594 |
| 2 | High Court of Sindh | 1,108 | 8,368 |
| 3 | Peshawar High Court | 308 | 332 |
| 4 | High Court of Balochistan | 235 | 374 |
| 5 | Islamabad High Court | 99 | 21 |
5. Recommendations of the Committee on District Judiciary Reforms
Being cognizant of the fact that the Committee of Chief Justices of the High Courts has recently been completed with assumption of office by the Chief Justice, High Court of Sindh and the Chief Justice, High Court of Balochistan, the NJPMC asked the Committee to finalize its recommendations within 30 days, for consideration in the next meeting.
The Chair desired the Chief Justice, Lahore High Court to convene the meeting of the Committee at Lahore for the purpose.
6. Complaint Redressal Mechanism
The NJPMC lauded the High Courts for operationalizing accessible, user-friendly public forum at the High Courts and District Courts level for provision of information and complaint redressal.
7. Jail Reforms
The LJCP Secretariat confirmed that reports of the Jail Reform Sub Committees and the consolidated Action Plan have been shared with Chairpersons of the Provincial Justice Committees. It was unanimously decided that the Chief Justices of the High Courts, in their capacity as Chairpersons of the Provincial Justice Committees, shall engage with the respective Chief Secretaries for input on legislative, policy, and administrative measures. The Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court to engage with Secretary, Interior Division, for similar action.
The steps taken will be discussed in the next meeting.
8. National Guidelines for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Judicial Institutions in Pakistan
The Secretary placed draft “National Guidelines for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Judicial Institutions in Pakistan”, finalized by the National Judicial Automation Committee (NJAC), following extensive consultations with experts.
The Committee appreciated the tireless efforts undertaken by the NJAC under the leadership of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Muhammaad Ali Mazhar and unanimously decided that the LJCP shall share the draft guidelines with the High Courts and get their input within 30 days. The draft guidelines shall be finalized and placed before the NJPMC for approval in the next meeting.
9. Mandatory Pre-trial Mediation
The Committee decided that the High Courts shall engage with Law Departments of their respective Provincial Governments, and the Islamabad High Court with Ministry of Law and Justice, for this purpose and shall share the progress made in this regard with LJCP for consideration in the next meeting.
10. Digital Transformation Roadmap-Launch of E-Filing of Cases
The Committee appreciated the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication as well as National Digital Authority for engaging with the judiciary on development of Pakistan Digital Masterplan.
The Committee unanimously approved immediate initiation and implementation of e-filing in all District Courts as the first phase of the national e-court project. It was further decided that the High Courts shall review existing Rules, including the relevant parts of Schedule-I of the Code of Civil Procedure or to invoke the rules making powers of the High as has been done by High Court of Sindh enabling electronic filing of cases.
The High Court of Sindh was applauded for the steps taken in this regard.
11. Family Support and Mediation Centers
The Committee appreciated the concept of establishment of one-window, integrated family and women facilitation centers within the judicial complexes.
The proposal by National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) was approved in principle, subject to commitment for provision of funds by the Government.
12. AJDF- Projects Approved and Funds Released
The Committee lauded the High Courts for their sustained efforts for preparation and execution of various projects under Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF) as per summary below. The Committee stressed on optimum utilization of funds and timely completion of the projects.
| S# | Fund Window | Amount Released |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judicial Development Fund | 1,291.597 (Million PKR) |
| 2 | Under-Developed Areas (UDR) Window | 137.149 (Million PKR) |
| 3 | Grant-in-Aid | 954.535 (Million PKR) |
| 4 | Judicial Academies | 62.615 (Million PKR) |
| 5 | District Legal Empowerment Committees | 134.4 (Million PKR) |
| 6 | Other Projects | 4.454 (Million PKR) |
| — | Total Amount Released @ 50% | 2,584.75 (Million PKR) |
| — | Total Projects Approved | 5,169.5 (Million PKR) |
The Committee asked the Lahore High Courts and the Peshawar High Court to approach their respective Provincial Governments for provision of balance funds to ensure solarization of courts across the Provinces.
All the High Courts were asked to ensure timely and effective utilization of the released funds.
The meeting concluded with an expression of appreciation for the sustained efforts of all High Courts, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Secretariat of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan for their valuable contributions toward strengthening the administration of justice, fostering institutional coherence, and enhancing public confidence in the judicial system.