KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi (CJP) on Tuesday said that the district judiciary formed the face of the judicial system and emphasised that strengthening the subordinate courts remained at the centre of the ongoing reform agenda.
The CJP was presiding over a meeting held at the apex court’s Karachi registry on sustainable planning and feasibility of the proposed construction of a new judicial complex in the provincial metropolis.
The state-of-the-art proposed judicial complex in Karachi will house 125 fully equipped courts along with all requisite amenities.
Registrar Supreme Court Mohammad Salim Khan, Sindh High Court registrar Suhail Muhammad Laghari, district and sessions judges of the Karachi division, officials of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan and Communication & Works Department, and others also attended the meeting.
According to a statement issued by the apex court, speaking to the participants of the meeting, the chief justice said the district judiciary forms the face of the judicial system, being the primary forum where citizens bring their disputes for adjudication. He emphasised that strengthening the district judiciary remains at the centre of the ongoing reform agenda.
The registrar SHC and district & sessions judges briefed CJP Afridi on the concept, necessity and expected impact of the proposed project.
The project architect also presented the design framework, highlighting key features, amenities, and the proposed phased construction plan, it added.
The registrar of the apex court observed that the district judiciary continued to face acute shortages in infrastructure and human resources.
The statement also stated that he reviewed the project’s financial and technical feasibility, stressing the importance of a citizen-centric approach to ensure the plan’s viability, cost-effectiveness and practical benefits for litigants.
The registrar also underlined the need to consider transportation access, distance, and overall convenience for court users, and recommended robust consultations with all stakeholders, including the legal fraternity and the provincial government, before proceeding to the next stages of the proposed project.
CJP’s meeting with SHCBA delegation
The CJP, along with SHC Chief Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar, on Tuesday also met with a delegation of the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) at the apex court’s Karachi registry.
He was of the view that the bench and bar were integral components of the justice system, and the shared mission of delivering justice cannot be achieved without the close cooperation of the legal fraternity.
The CJP also assured the representatives of lawyers that he would not allow any factor to disrupt this vital and meaningful partnership.
He informed the delegation about the ongoing reform agenda being implemented through the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), as well as the efforts being taken for the welfare of the legal fraternity, including their inclusion in decision-making processes and policy development for the judicial sector.
Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2025