LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Thursday visited the Sadiqabad tehsil of Rahim Yar Khan district, the remotest district in Punjab province, as part of his judicial reforms to improve service delivery and promote equitable access to justice.

He was accompanied by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, and the registrars of the Supreme Court and the high court.

During his visit, the CJP engaged in extensive interactive sessions with District and Sessions Judges, as well as representatives of the bar associations from Rahim Yar Khan and adjoining districts, including, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Lodhran, who attended in person.

Judges from Attock, Mianwali, Khushab, Jhang, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Multan, and Bhakkar districts virtually joined the session.

The CJP assured the judicial officers serving in remote districts that comprehensive measures would be taken to ensure a supportive work environment, with a focus on enhancing their safety, dignity, and access to essential resources.

He urged the high court to prioritise the placement of skilled officers in remote districts, ensuring consistent tenures and robust institutional support.

He proposed several key initiatives, including prioritising foreign training programs and professional development opportunities through the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP).

CJP Afridi directed the judicial officers to focus on the grievances of the litigants, underscoring the importance of treating litigants with patience, respect, and dignity.

In his interaction with the bar representatives, he reiterated the essential role of the bar in the justice system, noting that effective cooperation between the bench and bar is vital for achieving the goals of justice delivery.

He emphasized that the dignity of judges and the majesty of courts must be upheld at every level, whether it involves a civil judge in remote areas like Bonni or a Supreme Court judge in the federal capital.

Highlighting his vision for equitable justice, CJP Afridi identified key focus areas for immediate attention including improving judicial accessibility in remote districts such as Jeevani in Balochistan, Tank in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ghotki in Sindh, and Sadiqabad in Punjab.

He stressed the need to prioritise cases involving women, children, and persons with disabilities, as well as to advance justice delivery through automation, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, better case management, and human resource development.

Earlier, the LJCP informed the legal community about the Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF), which aims to empower legal practitioners in underserved regions.

The CJP reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the justice delivery system and expressed confidence that the bar and judiciary would work together to uphold the sanctity and majesty of courts, ensuring justice for all, especially in the most remote and underprivileged areas.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2024