Referee Yahya Afridi. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has observed that protracted tax litigation not only limits fiscal discretion but also undermines investor confidence and economic stability.
He has emphasized the judiciary’s commitment to reforms that promote timely justice, efficiency and predictability, especially in matters that directly affect the national economy.
According to a statement issued by the Supreme Court on Saturday, CJP Afridi chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to discuss strategic reforms aimed at speedy disposal of high-impact tax cases that have significant implications for the national economy.
SC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), FBR Member (Legal) FBR and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Participants engaged in an in-depth discussion on developing a sustainable, institutional framework to resolve protracted high-value tax disputes with a focus on reducing the backlog, increasing legal certainty and securing public revenues.
The meeting discussed important reform-oriented strategies, including prioritization and fast-tracking of high-stakes tax cases and improved coordination between the tax authorities and the legal system.
Participants also discuss ways to strengthen legal preparedness and case management, and examine procedural and institutional measures to ensure coherence and speed of decision.
“The meeting is part of the broader judicial sector reform agenda aimed at improving governance, reducing systemic delays and aligning judicial processes with the country’s economic and development priorities,” it said.
The CJP also chaired a high-level meeting in Lahore on Saturday “to promote judicial infrastructure reforms with a special focus on ensuring sustainable and uninterrupted power supply to district courts across Punjab”.
The meeting was attended by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, Punjab Chief Secretary, Punjab Finance Secretary, Energy Department Secretary, Member Planning and Social Welfare Department Secretary besides other senior officials.
The agenda centered on government funding and political support for solarization of district courts to ensure continuity of the judiciary, especially in areas vulnerable to power outages.
During the meeting, the Punjab Chief Secretary gave a firm assurance that the provincial government would ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to the courts across the province.
Where such supply cannot be reliably guaranteed, the government will provide solar energy solutions to maintain smooth court operations, he said.
Appreciating the proactive approach and strong commitment of the Punjab government, the CJP noted that reliable energy infrastructure is essential for timely delivery of justice, institutional effectiveness and public confidence in the judicial system.
He said the proposed measures would not only improve the court’s functionality but would also contribute to sustainability, resilience and long-term cost-effectiveness.
He emphasized that judicial reforms require close coordination between the judiciary and the executive, and praised the spirit of cooperation displayed at the highest level.
