The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi, accompanied by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, visited the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and held an interactive session with its representatives on judicial reforms, digital innovation, case management and litigant facilitation. Mr. Haroon Rashid, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, along with other office-bearers and members of the Bar, participated in the session.
During the interaction, the Supreme Court administration briefed the Bar on the newly introduced Smart Judicial Assistant (SJA), an AI-powered digital platform that provides advocates, litigants and the general public with round-the-clock access to judicial information and court-related services. The Bar was also informed that the Supreme Court had prepared user-friendly video guides explaining how to use its various online services, making them easier to access for lawyers and litigants. These videos were demonstrated during the briefing. These initiatives form part of the ongoing judicial reforms under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan to improve judicial efficiency, transparency and public access to justice.
Accessible at https://sja.scp.gov.pk/, the Smart Judicial Assistant allows users to obtain judicial information using simple, everyday language. It brings together case searches, cause lists, hearing schedules, advocates’ information, sitting rosters of Hon’ble Judges, certified copy requests, early hearing applications, video-link arrangements and adjournment updates through a single digital interface. By reducing the need to navigate multiple systems or visit the Court, the platform aims to save time and costs for lawyers and litigants.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice also briefed the Bar on progress in case disposal and backlog reduction, particularly in tax and customs matters. His Lordship informed the participants that 395 tax cases were heard during September 2026.
Responding to concerns raised by members of the Bar about the listing of jail petitions, the Hon’ble Chief Justice clarified that these petitions are fixed in order of their filing, with priority given to those filed earlier, subject to the availability of the requisite case record. Older jail petitions for which the requisite record has not been received cannot be fixed for hearing until the record becomes available. This approach ensures fairness, consistency and transparency in case fixation.
Regarding early hearing, His Lordship informed the participants that 192 early hearing applications had been received and fixed before the afternoon bench at 1:00 p.m. With these applications having been fixed, fresh cases will now be listed before the afternoon bench. He also clarified that the Registrar is competent to approve the processing of early hearing applications and emphasised that such requests must be supported by cogent and justifiable grounds.
The session provided an opportunity for members of the Bar to raise concerns and offer suggestions on judicial administration, case fixation and litigant facilitation. The Hon’ble Chief Justice reaffirmed the importance of continued engagement between the Bench and the Bar to improve court services and respond to the needs of lawyers and litigants.
The digital initiatives and improvements in case management reflect the Supreme Court’s continued commitment to timely adjudication, transparent procedures and easier access to justice.
