The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Yahya Afridi, visited the Bannu Bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to express solidarity with the judges working under the challenging conditions and reaffirmed his commitment to the judicial independence and institutional reforms.
During his visit, the Chief Justice met with Justice S. M Attique Shah, Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, for an indepth discussion on strengthening institutional capacity across the judiciary and legal fraternity, according to a statement issued by the Supreme Court here on Friday.
He also interacted with the judges from the Peshawar High Court, district judiciary officials from Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and North Waziristan, as well as representatives from the legal community.
Key discussions revolved around the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) agenda, highlighting the need for judicial capacity enhancement, improved legal education, and institutional synergy.
Emphasis was placed on reform initiatives, including the establishment of a dedicated Commercial Litigation Corridor, the introduction of Double Docket Courts, and expansion of courtannexed mediation.
The revival of Model Criminal Courts was also discussed as a remedy to address delays in criminal trials. The CJP stressed the need for urgent judicial automation and referenced the upcoming national symposium on automation and artificial intelligence in the justice system.
He also called for prioritizing funds for underdeveloped regions, recommending foreign training and exposure visits for judges from these areas, and the posting of the most competent judicial officers in such districts.
The Chief Justice introduced the concept of a Performance Excellence Index for judicial officers to ensure transparency, merit, and accountability.
He also emphasized the proposal for standardized training modules for apprentice lawyers, encouraging Bar Councils nationwide to submit a joint proposal for consideration in the upcoming NJPMC session.
As part of his broader Criminal Justice System (CJS) reform agenda, the Chief Justice visited local correctional facilities. He inspected the prison hospital and kitchen, inaugurated a new Drug Rehabilitation Centre, and interacted with inmates to hear their concerns.
A particularly poignant moment occurred when he met Bahadur Khan, a prisoner whose case had been pending since 2019 despite policy guidelines stipulating resolution by 2024.
The matter had only recently been decided on April 23, 2025. The Chief Justice expressed regret over the delay and stressed the need for humane treatment, transparency, and accountability in the prison system.
He directed the District Police Officer (DPO) to ensure timely submission of challans and tasked the District and Sessions Judge with activating the Criminal Justice Coordination Committee to enhance interagency collaboration.
In conclusion, Justice Afridi reviewed security protocols for judicial officers and court premises, underscoring the importance of a secure, independent, and dignified environment for the judiciary to fulfill its constitutional role effectively.