logo
SCBA welcomes PM-CJ meeting

SCBA welcomes PM-CJ meeting

Express Tribune21-02-2025
A day after a rare meeting between Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) Yahya Afridi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a delegation led by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) present called on the top judge and expressed its appreciation for the meeting that focused on legal and judicial reforms.
According to an official statement, SCBA President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta met with Justice Yahya Afridi on Thursday. Atta was accompanied by SCBA Senior Vice President Nadeem Qureshi and Balochistan Bar Council member Khalil Panezai.
"The meeting encapsulated discussions on a range of issues concerning the overall performance of the judiciary. President SCBAP hailed the Chief Justice of Pakistan for his initiatives taken for the efficient functioning of the court, which have effectively resulted in the reduction of longstanding pendency."
The SCBA president "expressed his appreciation" for the meeting between the CJ and the PM, "which aimed to focus on the judicial and law reforms necessary for establishing an efficient and effective judicial system".
He said these reforms are not only need of the hour but extremely essential for prompt dispensation of justice to the general public at the grassroots level. Atta suggested that to make the most of such policies, consistency in their implementation is crucial.
"In the end, he reasserted his full confidence and support for the Chief Justice of Pakistan on behalf of SCBAP and the entire legal fraternity, commending the Chief Justice's efforts toward creating a robust judicial system aimed at improving overall effectiveness and efficiency," it added.
In an unprecedented move, PM Shehbaz on Wednesday requested CJ Yahya Afridi for expeditious disposal of tax-related cases on merit.
The request was made during a meeting between the country's top chief executive and the top adjudicator wherein the issue of tax-related cases that had been pending for adjudication, for long, in different courts of the country came under discussion.
As of January 2025, as many as 33,522 cases worth Rs4.7 trillion are pending nationwide in various courts and tribunals. According to a press release issued by the Supreme Court, the premier visited the chief justice's house at the invitation of the CJP Afridi.
During the meeting, the CJ shared the agenda of the upcoming meeting of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) and sought the input of the government.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Top court stays ADRC proceedings
Top court stays ADRC proceedings

Express Tribune

time2 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Top court stays ADRC proceedings

The Supreme Court has ordered a stay on proceedings in all cases currently pending before the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committees (ADRCs), which function under the administrative control of the FBR to handle tax-related matters, especially those involving state entities. The order came from a division bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, which issued a two-page directive. It noted that during proceedings, it was brought to the court's attention that the FBR, in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice, was in the process of overhauling the mechanism for appointing members to the ADRCs. The FBR's legal member submitted before the bench that the revenue body remains open to constructive suggestions regarding the ADRC proceedings as mandated by law. Taking note, the court observed it would be appropriate for the FBR to first examine the matter in detail. Accordingly, the bench directed the FBR to consult with Shahid Jamil, counsel for the petitioner (ZTBL), counsel for the respondent (FBR), amicus curiae Sultan Mazhar Sher Khan, the Attorney General for Pakistan and the Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice. The order further directed that the FBR must "duly consider the opinions and input" of these stakeholders before finalising the proposed framework for appointing ADRC members. "A report in this regard shall be submitted before this Court prior to the next date of hearing. In the meantime, proceedings in all cases currently pending before the ADRC shall remain stayed till 24.07.2025," the court stated. Shahid Jamil, counsel for ZTBL, maintained that transparency must be ensured in the appointment of ADRC members. However, legal experts remain divided on the current state of ADRCs and their role in dispute resolution. One lawyer representing a state-owned enterprise (SOE) argued that the ADRC mechanism has proven "destructive" for SOEs. "They are being crushed with taxation and have no remedy against the ADRC," he said, alleging that billions of rupees in taxes were forcibly recovered in June without the legally required notices, simply to meet revenue targets. "All profit-making SOEs are being destroyed," he added. Another lawyer contended that the ADRC should function independently and without FBR's influence to be credible. On the other hand, Hafiz Ehsaan Ahmad, who has represented the FBR in numerous cases, defended the institution. He explained that the FBR was legally empowered to constitute ADR committees for the settlement of tax disputes and to avoid prolonged litigation. However, he acknowledged that the ADR system in Pakistan has struggled due to several structural flaws, including the absence of qualified and independent arbitrators, a lack of transparency in ADRC composition, inadequate digital and institutional infrastructure and, most crucially, the limited binding nature and enforceability of ADR outcomes, particularly when they involve findings of fact.

State-funded legal aid for poor launched
State-funded legal aid for poor launched

Express Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Express Tribune

State-funded legal aid for poor launched

Judicial matters: Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi chairs a meeting of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan in Quetta. Photo: APP Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi said on Monday that a new initiative had been launched to provide assistance to poor litigants to hire legal representation at all levels of the judiciary at the state expense in order to ensure equitable access to justice for all citizens. Chairing a meeting of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) at the Supreme Court Branch Registry in Quetta, he said that a senior representative would be posted in the high courts to liaise with district bar associations and supervise the ongoing justice sector initiatives at the grassroots level. The LJCP meeting was held to review the institutional linkages between the bar associations in Balochistan and the LJCP with a view to strengthening justice delivery, said a press release issued here. During the meeting, the chief justice announced that under the auspices of the LJCP, a new initiative had been launched to provide assistance to poor litigants to hire legal representation, at the state expense, at all levels of the judiciary – from magistrate courts to the Supreme Court. Remuneration of up to Rs50,000 would be given through the District Legal Empowerment Committees, the press release said, adding that the bars might nominate qualified lawyers to the district judges, the high courts, and the Supreme Court in this regard. He also said that the LJCP had decided to post a senior level representative in every province, who would sit in the high courts. These representatives would maintain liaison to raise awareness among district bar associations and identify local priority areas and supervise initiatives at the grassroots level. On the occasion, Chief Justice Afridi urged bar representatives to sensitise their respective bar associations and proactively engage in judicial reform initiatives. He directed that the facilities extended to the bars by the government must be structured to ensure better cost for the money spent.

SJC disposes of 19 misconduct complaints
SJC disposes of 19 misconduct complaints

Express Tribune

time5 days ago

  • Express Tribune

SJC disposes of 19 misconduct complaints

The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Saturday disposed of 19 complaints filed against various high and apex courts' justices under Article 209. It also decided to defer proceedings on five other complaints lodged by different individuals. The SJC—the constitutional forum that can hold superior court judges accountable—met at the Supreme Court in Islamabad under the chairmanship of the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), Yahya Afridi. SC's Justice Munib Akhtar, Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum and Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar attended the meeting. SC's senior puisne judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah also participated in the meeting through video link. According to sources, the council deliberated on the suggestion of CJP Afridi to announce names of the judges against whom complaints were disposed of. The SJC later decided to keep those names confidential. The Supreme Court's press release also did not specify which judges the five deferred complaints are against as well as the nature of the 19 resolved complaints. The council also approved the proposed draft of the Supreme Judicial Council Secretariat Service Rules 2025. However, it decided that the proposed amendments to the inquiry procedures and code of conduct required further consideration from legal and drafting perspectives. Article 209 of the Constitution deals with the composition and functions of the SJC.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store