Islamabad, Pakistan: Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has emphasized the need for dedicated benches to ensure the swift resolution of tax-related cases. In a series of meetings held on Thursday at the Supreme Court in Islamabad, the chief justice outlined his vision for enhancing judicial efficiency and addressing pending tax disputes.

In the first meeting, Chief Justice Afridi, joined by Justices Ayesha A. Malik and Shahid Bilal Hassan, engaged with key stakeholders, including Supreme Court Registrar Muhammad Salim Khan, development expert Sher Shah, and other core team members. The discussion centered on advancing reforms in critical areas such as IT systems, case management, human resources, capacity-building initiatives, and public engagement through feedback mechanisms.

Commending the progress achieved, the chief justice urged the team to further refine their strategies for implementing reforms effectively. Specific attention was given to improving service delivery and ensuring public access to justice through innovative and transparent practices.

Later, Chief Justice Afridi convened a separate meeting to address the backlog of tax cases. Representatives from the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) legal team and members of the tax bar participated, discussing procedural improvements and strategies for expediting cases. The chief justice proposed forming dedicated benches for tax-related matters and advocated for categorizing cases to avoid unnecessary delays caused by frequent adjournments.

The tax bar representatives welcomed these initiatives, expressing their support and gratitude for the Supreme Court’s proactive approach. They assured their cooperation in facilitating the implementation of reforms.

These steps reflect the Supreme Court’s commitment to institutional growth, judicial efficiency, and transparency. By addressing procedural bottlenecks and streamlining case management, the judiciary aims to enhance public confidence and ensure timely justice for all citizens.