ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has underscored the urgent need to integrate modern technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), into the judicial system in order to tackle the country’s long-standing delays in justice delivery.
In a detailed written judgment authored by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha Malik, the court warned that justice delayed is often justice denied—a failure that not only affects individuals but also undermines faith in the judiciary itself.
The judges observed that prolonged litigation has devastating consequences for society, especially for vulnerable and marginalized groups who lack the financial means to sustain lengthy legal battles. The ruling pointed out that such delays weaken the rule of law, discourage investment, and erode institutional credibility across the justice system.
The court also cited alarming statistics: over 2.2 million cases remain pending in courts across the country, including nearly 56,000 within the Supreme Court of Pakistan alone.
To address this backlog, the judgment called for an immediate transition toward a modern, accountable, and technology-driven case management system. It stressed that embracing digital tools and artificial intelligence could provide a more transparent, efficient, and timely framework for justice delivery.
This push for reform comes shortly after the Supreme Court’s Practice and Procedure Committee introduced its updated procedural framework for 2025. The new rules, approved during a meeting chaired by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, are now operational under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act, 2023.
The committee responsible for overseeing these changes includes Chief Justice Yahya Afridi as chair, alongside Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Aminuddin Khan. According to the official notification, the Chief Justice will have the authority to convene committee meetings either in person or virtually, ensuring flexibility in decision-making.
With mounting public pressure over judicial delays, the court’s emphasis on AI and digital solutions marks a significant step toward modernizing Pakistan’s justice system—a step that, if implemented, could reshape how justice is delivered in the years ahead.
