Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi, stated that his appointment as Chief Justice happened so quickly that he couldn’t even buy a new suit for the oath-taking ceremony.
During a meeting with journalists on Monday, he emphasized that every Supreme Court judge is independent and handles cases in their unique way. Justice Afridi noted that judges should face constructive criticism. He also highlighted several reforms already implemented in the Supreme Court and stressed the importance of respecting the High Court’s authority while avoiding direct interference in district judiciary matters. He proposed that litigants should provide their email and WhatsApp details when filing cases, enabling them to receive updates and orders directly.
He added that mechanisms for urgent hearings are being developed and that judges have resolved 8,000 cases in a short span. Special benches have been formed to address election petitions, criminal, and tax cases. Justice Afridi expressed concern over the unresolved cases of missing persons during his visits to Gwadar and Quetta and emphasized taking these cases seriously.
He pledged free legal aid for deserving individuals and announced the initiation of an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) system, starting in Islamabad and expanding nationwide. Reflecting on the judiciary’s challenges over the past few years, he noted that the relations among judges are improving, and a collaborative approach will strengthen the institution.
