ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Federal Constitutional Court Aminuddin Khan on Wednesday formally inaugurated the country’s first smart, paperless digital court at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), with free Wi-Fi facilities and a media centre for litigants and lawyers also launched within the court building.

The inaugural ceremony for Pakistan’s first smart, paperless digital court took place at the high court. Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court Aminuddin Khan inaugurated the facility. He was accompanied by Justice Aamer Farooq of the Federal Constitutional Court. Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar, along with other high court judges and guests, was also present on the occasion.

The smart, paperless digital court has been established in Courtroom No. 1. The project was completed by the Islamabad High Court Registrar’s Office. Umar Rasheed Dar, the in-charge of the high court’s IT department, developed the system with his team under the directives of the chief justice. Officials said the initiative was part of efforts to introduce modern technology in the judicial system and make court proceedings more efficient, transparent and paperless.

Subsequently, Chief Justice Aminuddin, accompanied by Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, inaugurated the free Wi-Fi facility. The facility will benefit litigants and lawyers, who will now be able to access internet services within the court premises. The move is expected to facilitate lawyers, litigants and journalists covering court proceedings.

Earlier, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar inaugurated the media centre. He was accompanied by Justice Mohammad Azam Khan and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas, as well as Registrar Mohammad Yar Walana, additional registrars Noor Mohammad Mirza, Rai Mohammad Khan, Prosecutor General Manzoor Ahmed Jajja and Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez. Islamabad High Court Bar Association President Wajid Gilani, Secretary Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi, judicial officers, and office-bearers and members of the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association attended the ceremony.

On the occasion, Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar extended his congratulations to the media fraternity, stating that a media centre was being inaugurated at the high court to support a free media. He emphasised that freedom of expression is everyone’s right, noting that the media is free to either criticise or praise the court.

He said the media centre would provide facilities to journalists covering the high court and help them perform their professional duties effectively. The inauguration of the digital court, free Wi-Fi and media centre was widely welcomed by lawyers and journalists, who described the steps as positive developments for the justice system and media coverage of court proceedings.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2026