Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has clarified the rules regarding judges’ leave, emphasizing that judges must notify authorities before taking leave outside public holidays.
Speaking at the Judicial Conference, he explained that judges are not required to seek permission during judicial vacations. However, outside of official public holidays, they are expected to inform in advance if they plan to take time off.
He addressed misconceptions about judges taking long breaks, stating that they do not receive three months of continuous leave. Instead, they usually take one month at a time during the judicial vacation period, while the rest of the time they remain on duty at the registry.
Chief Justice Afridi also spoke about security measures for judges. He stressed that judges do not need heavy protocol inside the Red Zone. Extra security will only be arranged if there is a threat or for travel outside the Red Zone. Sharing his own example, he said he reduced his security vehicles from nine to two since both his residence and office are located in the same zone.
Highlighting reforms, the Chief Justice outlined five main areas of focus. These include digital case filing, e-services, free legal aid for the underprivileged, internal audits for transparency, and initiatives to speed up case disposal. He said the judiciary is exploring the use of artificial intelligence, though it is not yet fully ready for complete adoption.
He assured that early hearing requests will no longer be ignored. Instead, cases will be heard in the order they are filed, preventing selective prioritization.
The Chief Justice reaffirmed that reforms aim to strengthen the rule of law and build trust in the judicial system. Clear guidelines about leave beyond public holidays are part of this effort to ensure transparency and efficiency in court operations.
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