Acting Chief Justice of Lahore High Court, Justice Shujaat Ali Khan, has delivered widespread reforms to enhance public carrier, improve judicial performance, and leverage facts technology. These reforms intended to advantage remote places Pakistanis and the general public.
Utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Eliminating Favoritism
Justice Shujaat Ali Khan emphasized the importance of utilizing artificial intelligence. Following directives from Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Senior Justice Mansoor Ali Shah. He also announced measures to eliminate favoritism in appointments and transfers. These reforms were discussed in a meeting chaired by the Acting Chief Justice, with District and Sessions Judges participating via video link.
Enhancing Public Services
The Acting Chief Justice stressed improving public services, focusing on vulnerable sections of society. He directed providing comfortable waiting areas and clean restrooms, especially for women. Additionally, he proposed the development of QR code-enabled documents for easy access to decisions and orders and an online complaint system linked to the Lahore High Court mobile application.
Judiciary Facilitation Center
The authorities will establish a Judiciary Facilitation Center to provide one-window operations for lawyers and litigants, including case filing, early hearing requests, certified copies of court records, and case tracking. They will also link this center with the Police Service Center to streamline public service delivery.
Improving Judicial Performance
Justice Shujaat Ali Khan emphasized enhancing judicial performance and directed the Provincial Criminal Justice Coordination Committee to hold quarterly meetings chaired by the Chief Justice. This aims to ensure effective coordination among stakeholders. The Police Station Record Management System will integrate prosecution, jail, and case management systems to facilitate online filing and digital remarks.
Public-Centric Policies
The Acting Chief Justice highlighted the importance of public-centric policies, announcing the activation of Price Control Magistrates and other initiatives to address common public issues. He also called for monthly meetings to address lawyers’ concerns and the establishment of digital libraries at the tehsil and district bar levels.
Focus on Health and Welfare
Measures for the welfare of judges and judicial staff include:
- Implementing a Human Resource Management System.
- Health screening.
- Timely promotions.
- Ensuring the best facilities for the unique needs of children of High Court and district judiciary staff in public educational institutions and hospitals.
Gender-Based Violence Courts and Overseas Pakistani Cases
Gender-based violence courts will be upgraded, and courts dealing with overseas Pakistani cases will be reactivated to give priority to these cases. This reflects the importance of overseas Pakistanis in representing Pakistan internationally.
Training and Paperless Working
The authorities will develop special training modules for ADR and mediation for judicial officers. They will conduct general training programs for civil judges and additional district and session judges to improve decision-making.
The Acting Chief Justice also directed measures to ensure paperless working and encouraged the recognition of high-performing judges through certificates and the formation of an elite panel of judges.
Security and Energy Conservation
The authorities will ensure foolproof security for the High Court, district courts, and judicial officers’ residences. They will install solar technology to conserve energy and reduce government expenses. They will also use IT-based measures and artificial intelligence for better monitoring and case management.
