Says the guidelines position AI as a powerful assistive tool that will improve performance while preserving human judgment
Police officers walk past the Supreme Court of Pakistan building in Islamabad, Pakistan April 6, 2022. REUTERS
The National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) on Wednesday formally issued national guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial institutions.
According to the Supreme Court statement, the NJPMC in its 57th meeting laid out a “clear and forward-looking framework” to integrate AI into judicial processes across the country.
“At a time when courts are facing increasing caseloads and increasing demands for efficiency and transparency, the Guidelines position artificial intelligence as a powerful assistive tool – one that improves judicial performance while preserving human judgment, constitutional guarantees and judicial independence,” it said.
The statement also highlighted that the key guidelines included a people-centred approach that will “assist – not replace – judicial decision-making and ensure judges remain the ultimate arbitrators”.
It added that ethical and transparent use was a priority, with strong safeguards in place to reduce bias and focus on explanation and accountability.
The guidelines also emphasized data protection, ensuring strict privacy and data security standards to protect litigants and stakeholders.
Practical applications of artificial intelligence include helping with “case management, legal research, predictive analytics and document processing”.
The Guidelines call for capacity building that provides training to judges and court staff to ensure responsible use of new technologies.
The statement said the framework was developed through an extensive consultation process led by the National Judicial Automation Committee (NJAC), headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar. Feedback was incorporated from all Supreme Court and expert institutions, adapting the guidelines to international best practice while respecting Pakistan’s constitutional and institutional context.
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While setting a common national standard, the guidelines “respect the administrative and judicial autonomy of the high courts, allowing each jurisdiction to tailor implementation according to its specific needs and capacity.”
It added that the initiative marked a “significant milestone in Pakistan’s judicial reform journey – striking a careful balance between technological innovation and the enduring principles of fairness, justice and independence”.
