Justice Yahya Afridi, the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chairman of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), chaired the 46th meeting of the LJCP held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday.
During the meeting, the Commission emphasized the importance of legal reforms, particularly in the Code of Criminal Procedure and Family Laws, noting that such reforms are crucial to ensure the justice system remains relevant and effective in addressing the evolving needs of society. The proposed changes aim to streamline legal processes, protect citizens’ rights, and promote fairness and efficiency in the dispensation of justice.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court, Chief Justices of all High Courts, the Attorney General for Pakistan, Secretary of the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Interim Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women. Senior advocates Khawaja Haris Ahmed, Kamran Murtaza, and Muhammad Munir Paracha also participated in the discussions.
The Commission appreciated the proposed legislative amendments to family laws, recognizing that these would facilitate early resolution of family disputes and improve service delivery in family courts. It further emphasized the need to amend the Qanoon-e-Shahadat Order, 1984, to ensure the admissibility of evidence obtained through modern devices and technologies.
Addressing concerns over conflicting judgments, the Commission observed that such inconsistencies create confusion and undermine the principle of precedent, which subordinate courts are required to follow. The LJCP underscored the necessity of consistency in judicial interpretation to maintain public confidence in the legal system.
The Commission also reviewed the draft LJCP Employees (Terms and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2025, and formed a committee comprising the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court and Muhammad Munir Paracha, Senior Advocate and Member of the Commission, to further examine the proposed rules and present a detailed report.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, in his capacity as Chairman of the Governing Body of the Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF), chaired the 21st meeting of the Governing Body. The session reviewed the Fund’s overall performance, implementation status of previous decisions, and fund disbursements under various windows.
According to official data, since its inception in 2005, the AJDF has released Rs. 904.7 million to High Courts for district judiciary infrastructure development, and Rs. 166.5 million for special projects in under-developed districts.
However, a major surge in activity was recorded during the last fourteen months (July 2024–September 2025), with Rs. 1,462.3 million disbursed for infrastructure development and court-related amenities for litigants, lawyers, and judicial officers. Additionally, Rs. 151 million was allocated to projects in under-developed districts, marking a significant expansion in judicial support initiatives.
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi commended the LJCP Secretariat for its outstanding management of the Fund and praised the renewed momentum in enhancing judicial infrastructure and access to justice across the country.
