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April 22, 2025 - Comments Off on IHC terms FIA report in judge’s intimidation case unsatisfactory

IHC terms FIA report in judge’s intimidation case unsatisfactory

Justice Babar Sattar of Islamabad High Court filed a case against KP Director Anti-Corruption Siddique Anjum and others accusing them of orchestrating a social media campaign against District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar. 

In 2023, Humayun Dilawar convicted and sentenced former prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case on a complaint filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). 

In the aftermath of the court's decision and after the case was transferred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Judge Dilawar and his family faced increased intimidation allegedly specifically as ACE KP government officials lodged an FIR in a land-related matter against Judge Dilawar and his family. 

During the investigation of this case, the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) registered a separate case against ACE KP officials who were allegedly found attempting to discredit Judge Humayun Dilawar via social media with the help of a vlogger. In proceedings, the FIA submitted a report to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) detailing how government officials in KP were using social media to target a member of the judiciary for his involvement in convicting former prime minister Imran Khan. 

Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC, upon receiving the report deemed it ‘unsatisfactory’ and reprimanded the FIA for their tone and format, claiming that there was inconsistency in the complaint and a lack of understanding of the proper judicial procedure. 

April 11, 2025 - Comments Off on Supreme Court Urges Regulated Use of AI to Improve Judicial Efficiency

Supreme Court Urges Regulated Use of AI to Improve Judicial Efficiency

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has recommended the regulated adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the judiciary to enhance efficiency and reduce case backlogs, particularly at the district court level.

In an 18-page judgment authored by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, the court emphasized that AI must only be used as a supportive tool and not in ways that compromise judicial independence, constitutional principles, or public trust.

The judgment urged the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan to develop comprehensive guidelines outlining permissible uses of AI in judicial processes. The court stressed the need for calibrated integration, welcoming AI’s potential to streamline functions and legal research without replacing the human conscience essential to justice.

“Courts must pursue a calibrated integration harnessing AI's efficiencies without surrendering the conscience, independence, and humanity that justice demands,” the judgment stated.

The court also highlighted Smart Legal Research as a key area where AI can assist judges by efficiently extracting relevant case law and legal commentary. However, it reiterated that human judgment and ethical reasoning remain irreplaceable.

The bench called on judicial institutions to address systemic delays and adopt innovative case management systems, warning that without reform, the right to fair and timely justice under Articles 10A and 37(d) of the Constitution may be undermined.