ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court Justice Aminuddin Khan on Wednesday formally inaugurated Pakistan’s first smart, paperless digital court at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), marking what officials described as a step towards modern, efficient and transparent justice delivery.
The facility has been established in Courtroom No. 1 of the IHC. Justice Aamer Farooq of the Federal Constitutional Court accompanied the chief justice at the inauguration ceremony. IHC Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar, other judges of the high court and guests were also present on the occasion.
Officials said the smart, paperless digital court project was completed by the IHC Registrar’s Office. The system was developed by the high court’s IT Department under the supervision of its in-charge, Umar Rasheed Dar, and his team on the directions of the chief justice.
They said the initiative was aimed at introducing modern technology in the judicial system and making court proceedings more efficient, transparent and paperless. The system includes digital case files, electronic document management, reduced use of paper and faster access to records.
Later, Justice Aminuddin Khan, accompanied by IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, also inaugurated a free public Wi-Fi facility at the high court building. The service has been made available for lawyers and litigants within the court premises, while officials said it would also facilitate journalists covering court proceedings.
Earlier, IHC Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar inaugurated a media centre at the high court. He was accompanied by Justice Mohammad Azam Khan and Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas, Registrar Mohammad Yar Walana, additional registrars Noor Mohammad Mirza and Rai Mohammad Khan, Prosecutor General Manzoor Ahmed Jajja and Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez.
Islamabad High Court Bar Association President Wajid Gilani, Secretary Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi, judicial officers, and office-bearers and members of the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association also attended the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar congratulated the media fraternity and said the media centre was being inaugurated at the high court to support a free media. He said freedom of expression was everyone’s right and observed that the media was free to either criticise or praise the court.
He said the media centre would provide facilities to journalists covering the high court and help them perform their professional duties effectively.
Lawyers and journalists welcomed the inauguration of the digital court, free Wi-Fi facility and media centre, describing the steps as positive developments for the justice system and coverage of court proceedings.
