District courts must be strengthened to fix justice system, says Chief Justice

KARACHI (Dunya News) – Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi, has stressed that the judiciary is the face of the justice system, and any meaningful reform must start by beefing up the district courts.

Chairing a high-level meeting at the Supreme Court Registry in Karachi, the top judge discussed the planning of new judicial infrastructure to improve access and efficiency in the justice system.

According to an official statement released by the Supreme Court, the meeting was attended by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Registrar of the Sindh High Court, senior session judges, and other top judicial officials.

The proposed plan focuses on public convenience, cost-effectiveness and easy transport access to courts.

The Chief Justice emphasised that reforms in the legal system cannot take off unless district courts are given a shot in the arm. These courts, he said, are the backbone of the justice system where most citizens come face to face with the law for the first time.

Justice system will be further strengthened, says Chief Justice Yahya Afridi

The statement also mentioned that effective consultation with the legal community and provincial government was recommended before moving forward with the infrastructure plan.

Justice Afridi’s remarks underline a growing push for grassroots-level judicial reforms, aiming to make the system more accessible, transparent, and efficient for the ordinary citizen.

His message was loud and clear: if we want the justice system to work properly, we must start from the ground up and make district courts stronger and better equipped.