Supreme Court Sets New Benchmark in Digital Justice Delivery
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court announced it had set a new benchmark in digital justice delivery. The court reaffirmed its commitment to a people-friendly, transparent, and technology-driven judicial system.
The court conducted successful hearings across the country using modern technology. This enabled seamless judicial proceedings even in challenging circumstances. A bench in Islamabad held proceedings while lawyers appeared online from Quetta, Karachi, and Hyderabad. Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi participated from Islamabad, while Justice Ayesha Malik joined remotely from Lahore.
Proceedings continued without interruption during emergency situations. The full cause list was heard by the Islamabad bench with litigants and counsel joining virtually from multiple cities.
Traditional paper-based records have largely been replaced with complete digital case files. This has significantly reduced the need to requisition documents from branch registries.
Several key reforms, including case barcoding, e-filing, and e-office systems, are operationalized. Electronic transmission of judicial orders enables immediate delivery of decisions.
Video-link hearings have helped bridge geographical distances, lower litigation costs, and expand access to justice.
The court introduced new standard operating procedures (SOPs) on Tuesday for uninterrupted judicial work during unexpected public holidays. Urgent civil and criminal matters will be prioritized under the SOPs, including family cases, bail applications, criminal revisions, cases involving prisoners above 80, restoration petitions, settlement matters, and cases with short legal questions.
The court has also introduced measures to address case backlog. At least 40% of cases in each final cause list are expected to consist of the oldest pending matters up to 2018. Special facilitation is provided for lawyers from Sindh and Balochistan, with their cases scheduled later in the week.
The court plans to introduce an automated case fixation system to enhance transparency and objectivity while minimizing discretionary delays through algorithm-based prioritisation. The system will include weekly and proposed monthly cause lists, aimed at improving predictability and overall case flow management.