ISLAMABAD: The National Judicial Policy-Making Committee (NJPMC) has formed a specialized panel to tackle enforced disappearances through a structured institutional approach.
This decision was announced during the NJPMC’s 53rd session, chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, held at the Supreme Court. The meeting was attended by all high court chief justices and the Additional Attorney General for Pakistan, emphasizing the judiciary’s ongoing commitment to protecting constitutional rights.
The new committee dedicated to enforced disappearances will review concerns raised by the government, as communicated through the Attorney General. To protect judicial officers from external influences, the NJPMC directed high courts to establish formal channels for reporting and resolving such issues within defined timeframes.
Key judicial reforms approved include creating a Commercial Litigation Corridor with specialized courts and benches, launching a pilot Double-Docket Court System in select districts, and introducing court-annexed mediation, Model Criminal Trial Courts, along with district-level mediation and family courts.
A committee led by retired Justice Rehmat Hussain Jafferi was tasked with developing performance metrics, standardizing judicial training, and addressing disparities in services to promote consistency across the judiciary.
Furthermore, the NJPMC approved the introduction of a Professional Excellence Index for lawyer induction, requesting high courts to submit proposals within 30 days. The ethical use of generative AI in judicial procedures was also discussed, with the National Judicial Automation Committee assigned to draft guiding principles.
The committee endorsed SOPs for virtual hearings of undertrial prisoners and police witness statements, and supported judicial training programs for police personnel through designated academies, as presented by Punjab’s IGP.
Following a request from the Additional Attorney General, it was decided that constitutional petitions concerning tax and finance issues should be heard by division benches rather than single benches in high courts.
The NJPMC praised Lahore High Court’s efforts, including the establishment of female bar rooms, daycare centers, and health insurance for judges and their families, encouraging other high courts to seek similar support from provincial authorities.
Lastly, the committee agreed that the NJPMC Secretariat will consult presiding officers before transferring ministerial staff within administrative courts and tribunals to the federal government.
The NJPMC reaffirmed its goal of building a transparent, efficient, and constitutionally aligned judicial system.
