ISLAMABAD (special crosspondent) – Pakistan’s National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC) has approved, in principle, a National Judicial Reform Framework aimed at aligning the country’s justice system with internationally recognized World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index standards.

61st Meeting and Institutional Endorsement

The decision was taken during the 61st meeting of the NJPMC, chaired by the Chief Justice of Pakistan at the Supreme Court. The session saw participation from the chief justices of all high courts, with the Federal Minister for Law and Justice and the Secretary of the Ministry of Law present by special invitation. Representatives of the Pakistan Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association were also in attendance to deliberate on systemic improvements similar to recent efforts by Prime Minister Sharif regarding national development oversight.

Framework Objectives and Implementation

According to a Supreme Court press release, the reform framework is designed to strengthen judicial accessibility, transparency, accountability and predictability through measurable performance indicators, internationally accepted benchmarks and continuous institutional evaluation. The committee decided that the high courts would adopt the framework along with the International Framework for Court Excellence (IFCE) Self-Assessment Checklist, with suitable modifications where necessary. High courts will establish institutional mechanisms for periodic evaluations and submit quarterly progress reports to ensure effective implementation.

Technological Integration and Monitoring

The committee directed the Secretariat of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), in coordination with the Ministry of Law and Justice, to establish a dedicated unit to monitor the implementation of these reforms. Progress will be reviewed during the committee’s next meeting, scheduled for October 8, 2026. The LJCP Secretariat was further tasked with identifying appropriate Rule of Law indicators for gradual integration into the National Judicial Analytics Dashboard (NJAD). Furthermore, they must develop, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Board (NITB), a digital platform to generate periodic progress reports and conduct annual assessments of Pakistan’s performance under the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, much like the FIA establishes dedicated unit to handle modern digital financial threats.

Focus on Accountability and Rule of Law

The committee observed that future judicial reforms should be guided by objective data, measurable outcomes and internationally accepted standards to improve institutional performance, strengthen public confidence and enhance the delivery of justice. The meeting also reviewed progress on the proposed Commission on Enforced Disappearances. The Federal Minister for Law and Justice informed the committee that former Supreme Court judges were being considered to head the commission and that its composition and Terms of Reference would be finalized shortly. The committee emphasized strict compliance with legal requirements, mandating that detained persons be produced before competent courts within the prescribed timeframe. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the committee’s commitment to sustained judicial reforms, stronger institutional coordination, and the use of technology for evidence-based governance.