NJPMC directs high courts to establish mechanisms against external influence on judges
\n ISLAMABAD
\nThe National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) on Friday constituted a dedicated committee to formulate an institutional response to enforced disappearances.
\nThe decision was made during the committee\u2019s 53rd meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi at the Supreme Court, a statement from the apex court mentioned.
\nThe committee, comprising chief justices of all high courts and attended by the Additional Attorney General for Pakistan, unanimously resolved that the judiciary will not compromise on its constitutional duty to protect fundamental rights.
\nThe newly formed committee on enforced disappearances will consider executive concerns communicated through the Attorney General for Pakistan.
\nExternal influence
\nIn the same meeting, the NJPMC decided to protect judicial officers from external influence, instructing high courts to establish structured mechanisms for reporting and redressal of such cases within a stipulated timeframe.
\nThe committee also approved key structural reforms aimed at improving the justice system, including the creation of a Commercial Litigation Corridor with specialised courts and benches, and a Double-Docket Court Regime to be piloted in selected districts.
\nOther measures included the launch of a court-annexed mediation regime, approval of Model Criminal Trial Courts, and plans for district-level mediation and family court facilities.
\nTo ensure judicial consistency, a new committee headed by Justice (retd) Rehmat Hussain Jafferi was formed to propose key performance indicators, standardise training, and address service disparities.
\nThe committee also approved the development of a Professional Excellence Index for lawyer induction and requested high courts to submit their models within 30 days.
\nUse of AI
\nEthical use of generative AI in judicial functions was also discussed, with the National Judicial Automation Committee tasked to finalise a charter in this regard.
\nThe committee endorsed SOPs for undertrial prisoner attendance and police witness statements via video link, and supported IGP Punjab\u2019s presentation on reforms. It also agreed to train police officers through judicial academies.
\nOn a request by the Additional Attorney General, the NJPMC decided that constitutional petitions related to tax and finance would now be heard by division benches rather than single benches of the high courts.
\nThe committee praised initiatives by the Lahore High Court, including female bar rooms, day care centres, and health insurance for judges and their families, and encouraged other high courts to seek similar support from provincial governments.
\nIt was also agreed that the NJPMC Secretariat would take up the proposal for prior consultation with presiding officers before transferring ministerial staff in administrative courts and tribunals to the federal government.
\nThe NJPMC reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent, efficient, and constitutionally guided judicial system.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NJPMC directs high courts to establish mechanisms against external influence on judges ISLAMABAD The National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) on Friday constituted a dedicated committee to formulate an institutional response to enforced disappearances. The decision was made during the committee\u2019s 53rd meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-489680","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n