ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, convened in Islamabad on Saturday to review judicial complaints and discuss proposed administrative reforms. The council examined 24 complaints filed under Article 209 of the Constitution, unanimously dismissing 19 and deferring five for future consideration.
The meeting was attended by senior puisne judge Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah (via video link), Justice Munib Akhtar, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, and Sindh High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar.
According to an official statement, the council also approved the draft of the Supreme Judicial Council Secretariat Service Rules, 2025. However, further legal and drafting review was recommended on the Procedure of Enquiry (2005) and proposed amendments to the judicial Code of Conduct. Justice Munib Akhtar was appointed to lead a committee tasked with drafting these amendments.
Meanwhile, the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC)—a statutory body responsible for formulating judicial policy—held its 53rd meeting a day earlier at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, also chaired by CJP Yahya Afridi.
In a significant move to reinforce judicial independence, the NJPMC resolved to protect judicial officers from external influence, directing all high courts to establish structured mechanisms for reporting and redressing such interference within a specified timeframe.
The committee also expressed serious concern over enforced disappearances in the country. It reaffirmed the judiciary’s constitutional duty to protect fundamental rights and constituted a dedicated committee to develop an institutional response. This response will incorporate the executive’s concerns and be communicated through the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP).
In addition, the NJPMC approved initiatives to enhance judicial performance, integrate technology in court processes, and promote citizen-centric justice delivery. Among the key measures was the establishment of a Commercial Litigation Corridor, aimed at improving the resolution of commercial disputes through specialised courts and benches.
These back-to-back high-level meetings signal a concerted push for transparency, institutional accountability, and reforms aimed at strengthening the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law.
