Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi has said that empowering judges of the subordinate judiciary is a key objective of the judiciary to strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, the Chief Justice emphasized the importance of providing timely justice to citizens and said that district courts serve as the backbone of the country’s judicial system. He stressed that strengthening the lower judiciary is essential for ensuring an effective and accessible justice system.
Justice Yahya Afridi called on all state institutions to perform their responsibilities efficiently and urged young judges to ensure the delivery of justice in the best possible manner. He said that coordination between district courts and high courts must be further strengthened to improve the overall functioning of the judicial system.
The Chief Justice said that reforms had been introduced to the judicial Code of Conduct and urged judges to perform their duties with honesty, integrity and professionalism. According to him, maintaining public trust requires judges to remain committed to their constitutional and legal responsibilities while ensuring that justice is delivered fairly and without unnecessary delays.
Justice Yahya Afridi also highlighted steps being taken to improve facilities and working conditions for members of the subordinate judiciary. He said courts were being shifted to solar power systems as part of efforts to improve their basic infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted services.
He further said that better internet facilities and e-libraries would be provided to the judiciary. Improved access to digital resources, he explained, would help judges and judicial officers access legal material and conduct research more efficiently.
Speaking about developments in Balochistan, the Chief Justice said work was continuing to provide basic facilities, including solar power, across the province’s tehsils and districts. He said that solar power, clean water and internet facilities had already been provided in 18 districts of Balochistan.
The remaining districts, he added, would also receive the required facilities within a month. The initiative is aimed at improving the working environment of courts and ensuring that judges and court staff have access to essential infrastructure.
Justice Yahya Afridi expressed pride in the performance of the subordinate judiciary, saying that judicial officers were continuing to discharge their responsibilities despite facing various difficulties.
He also announced that a decision had been taken to provide health insurance facilities to judicial officers. The initiative, he said, was intended to improve the welfare and security of judges serving at the lower levels of the judicial system.
The Chief Justice further said that changes had been made to the judicial Code of Conduct to help protect judges from external pressure. He emphasized that the entire judiciary stood together in efforts to ensure that judges were able to perform their duties independently and without undue influence.
According to Justice Yahya Afridi, protecting judicial independence is essential for maintaining public confidence in courts. Judges must be able to make decisions based on the law and facts of each case rather than being influenced by external forces.
He reiterated that empowering judges of the subordinate judiciary was among the judiciary’s primary objectives. He acknowledged that judges working in lower courts often face significant challenges but continue to perform their duties and serve the public.
The Chief Justice also thanked provincial governments for their cooperation in providing essential facilities such as solar power, internet connectivity and clean drinking water to subordinate courts. He said cooperation between the judiciary and provincial administrations was important for improving the justice delivery system.
Justice Yahya Afridi’s remarks placed particular emphasis on the role of district courts in providing justice directly to citizens. Since most litigants interact with the lower judiciary before reaching higher courts, improvements at the district level can have a significant impact on people’s overall perception of the justice system.
He called for stronger institutional coordination and better resources so that judicial officers could work in an environment that supports independent and efficient decision-making.
During his address, the Chief Justice also asked participants not to applaud. He remarked that everyone gathered under the roof was there in the capacity of judges and should conduct themselves accordingly.
The remarks reflected his emphasis on discipline, dignity and professionalism within the judiciary. He indicated that judges should maintain the decorum expected of members of the judicial institution both inside and outside the courtroom.
The Chief Justice’s address highlighted several areas of judicial reform, including strengthening the subordinate judiciary, improving infrastructure, expanding digital facilities, providing welfare support to judicial officers and protecting judges from external pressure.
He said these measures were ultimately aimed at ensuring timely and independent justice while restoring and strengthening the confidence of ordinary citizens in the judicial system.
The focus on district courts is particularly significant because these courts handle a large proportion of cases involving ordinary citizens. Improving their infrastructure, connectivity and working conditions could help make the justice system more efficient and accessible.
Justice Yahya Afridi maintained that judges must continue to perform their responsibilities with honesty and dedication despite the challenges they face. He stressed that an independent and empowered judiciary is essential for upholding the rule of law and ensuring public trust.
The Chief Justice’s comments come as the judiciary continues efforts to modernize court facilities and improve the delivery of justice across the country, particularly in areas where courts face shortages of infrastructure and basic resources.
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