CHIEF JUSTICE OF PAKISTAN REVIEWS NATIONWIDE JUDICIAL INFRASTRUCTURE REFORMS

 

PRESS RELEASE


CHIEF JUSTICE OF PAKISTAN REVIEWS NATIONWIDE JUDICIAL INFRASTRUCTURE REFORMS
 

Islamabad, February 26, 2026 – Reinforcing a reform vision that integrates sustainability with institutional resilience, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chairman, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the progress of nationwide judicial infrastructure reforms, with a central focus on solarization of courtrooms and bar rooms throughout the country.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, and Resident Additional Secretaries from all Provinces. The forum conducted a comprehensive review of projects being executed under the Judicial Development Fund (JDF) and Under-Developed Regions (UDR) Windows of the Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF), and Grant-in-Aid from the Federal and Provincial Governments. Progress benchmarks, implementation gaps, system capacities, funding streams, and technical configurations were examined in detail.
PUNJAB: Comprehensive Infrastructure Package:

The Resident Additional Secretary, Punjab, reported that a substantial infrastructure package has been approved, comprising:

  • Rs. 99.575 million (Under-Developed Regions)
  • Rs. 1,042.893 million (Judicial Development Fund)
  • Rs. 490.442 million (Grant-in-Aid)

Under this initiative:

  • Solarization of 56 eligible Bar Rooms has been completed.
  • Work is underway in 47 additional Bar Rooms.

The Government of Punjab has prioritized solarization of district court complexes, including District Kasur and Tehsil Fort Abbas (Bahawalnagar) during FY 2025–26.

Following a high-level meeting chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Provincial Government committed to ensuring uninterrupted power supply to courts by 31 August 2026, with solar solutions to be deployed wherever grid reliability cannot be guaranteed. The Energy Department has completed surveys and has prepared a PC-I for province-wide execution.

Complementary infrastructure reforms include:

  • Establishment of e-Libraries in 62 Bar Rooms and Courts, with expansion underway to 53 additional Bar Rooms and 68 Courts
  • Installation of water filtration plants at 47 Judicial Complexes, achieving province-wide coverage
  • Development of:
    • 32 daycare centres
    • 74 women facilitation facilities
    • 75 visitation rooms for non-custodial parents
    • 58 common rooms for female staff
    • 63 separate washrooms for women

These measures collectively enhance functionality, inclusivity, and dignity within judicial complexes.

SINDH: Energy Modernization & Women-Centric Facilities

The Resident Additional Secretary, Sindh, informed the meeting that an extensive reform package has been approved under UDR, JDF, and Grant-in-Aid allocations, covering:

  • Solarization of Courts and Bar Rooms
  • Establishment of e-libraries and e-kiosk machines
  • Installation of water filtration plants and R.O./U.F. systems
  • Development of women-centric facilities at District and Taluka levels
  • Air-conditioning in 12 heat-intensive areas, including installation of sixteen two-ton air conditioners in family courtrooms

Solarization coverage includes:

  • 65 Bar Rooms (24 District, 41 Taluka), with 12 UDR locations completed
  • 92 Courts (23 District, 69 Taluka), with 13 court locations completed

E-libraries are being established in:

  • 37 Bar Rooms (8 completed)
  • 61 Courts (10 completed)

Additionally, 19 Taluka locations are being equipped with shared e-libraries for both the Bar and the Bench.

Water infrastructure includes:

  • Water filtration plants in 11 Districts
  • Extension of water facilities to Courts in 28 Districts
  • Provision of water dispensers to all District and Taluka Bar Rooms

Women-centric facilities are under development at:

  • 28 Districts
  • 19 Taluka locations
  • One facility for the Karachi Bar Associations

Four sites are fully completed, five have completed civil works, and the remainder are under construction or tendering.

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA: Universal Hybrid Solar & Integrated Services

The Resident Additional Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reported allocations of:

  • Rs. 24.8 million (UDR)
  • Rs. 247 million (JDF)
  • Rs. 277 million (Grant-in-Aid)

Achievements include:

  • Solarization of 51 Bar Rooms (23 District, 28 Tehsil)
  • Solarization of 39 Courts (15 District, 25 Tehsil)
  • Establishment of e-libraries in 66 Bar Rooms and 62 Courts
  • Installation of water filtration plants in 22 Districts and 11 Tehsils, with emphasis on the southern belt

Infrastructure development includes:

  • Construction of six Family Courtrooms at Peshawar (Rs. 80 million)
  • Construction of an exclusive Family Courts Block comprising four Courts at Takht Bai, Mardan (Rs. 50 million)

Following engagement between the Hon’ble Chief Justice and the Chief Secretary, KP, the Provincial Government released an additional amount of Rs. 298 million, ensuring universal provision of 6 kW hybrid solar systems, fully equipped e-libraries, and RO water filtration plants across the province.

A landmark women-centric initiative titled “Da Sar Soury”, costing Rs. 465.456 million, has been approved and is being piloted in Swabi and Haripur, delivering integrated legal aid, protection, ADR, and support services under one roof.

BALOCHISTAN: Solarization of All Sessions Divisions

The Resident Additional Secretary, Balochistan, reported allocations of:

  • Rs. 10.31 million (UDR)
  • Rs. 64.01 million (JDF)
  • Rs. 172.16 million (Grant-in-Aid)

Solarization has been initiated in all 35 Sessions Divisions, covering 52 buildings:

  • 26 Sessions Divisions completed
  • Tenders for remaining divisions and up-gradation works underway
  • Completion expected by 30 June 2026

E-libraries have been established in all 35 Sessions Divisions for both the Bench and Bar.

Water filtration plants have been installed in 13 Sessions Divisions, and the Provincial Government has been requested to install solarized tube wells in all 35 divisions.

Tenders have also been floated for the establishment of 35 e-Courts, one in each Sessions Division.

Centralized Oversight & Strategic Monitoring

All provincial projects are supervised by the Secretary, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, and are personally monitored by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan. Resident Additional Secretaries stationed in each province ensure dedicated oversight, inter-institutional coordination, quality assurance, and strict adherence to timelines.

In his concluding remarks, the Hon’ble Chief Justice emphasized that uninterrupted and sustainable energy supply is integral to judicial efficiency and institutional dignity - particularly in underserved and climate-sensitive regions. He directed that:

  • Remaining infrastructure gaps be clearly mapped
  • System capacities be rationalized
  • On-grid and off-grid solutions be aligned with local climatic and operational realities

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s commitment to environmentally responsible, cost-effective, and citizen-centric infrastructure development. Solarization, it was emphasized, is not merely an energy intervention but a structural reform ensuring resilient court operations and strengthened access to justice at the grassroots level.

 

 

Dr. Shahid Hussain Kamboyo
Public Relations Officer
Supreme Court of Pakistan