Chief Justice Yahya Afridi urges upgrades to district courts, calls them justice system’s backbone

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi addressed a gathering in Islamabad, describing the district judiciary as the backbone of the nation’s justice system and the first point of contact for most citizens. After touring remote courts in places such as Chitral, Gwadar, Sadiqabad, Bahawalnagar and Nagarparkar, he highlighted a gap between district courts and the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC), which coordinates judicial policy.

Afridi announced that the NJPMC will appoint additional provincial secretaries to link the committee with high courts and district courts, and will shorten project approval and funding disbursement to 21 days. He presented a “wishlist” from district courts—uninterrupted electricity, internet, women’s facilities and clean water—and confirmed that funds have been earmarked for these items, with a substantial release this year following Rs900 million disbursed over the previous 20 years.

The chief justice also reported nationwide solarisation of tehsil courts, noted improvements to judicial officers’ code of conduct, and questioned Pakistan’s low ranking in the Rule of Law Index. He concluded by honoring Judge Hakeem Kakar, who was killed in July, and praised district judges for their dedication.