**National Symposium Calls for Comprehensive Judicial Wellbeing Framework in Pakistan**
A National Symposium convened at the Federal Judicial Academy on the International Day for Judicial Wellbeing has issued a strong call for the creation of a National Judicial Wellbeing Framework in Pakistan. Under the theme “The Human Dimension of Responsive Justice,” the event brought together leading judges, legal experts, development partners, and key stakeholders in a landmark dialogue focused on reform, resilience, and the overall wellbeing of the judiciary.
In his keynote address, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi, highlighted a series of judicial reform initiatives spearheaded by the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee. Notable measures include the establishment of Model Criminal Trial Courts, the introduction of clear timelines to ensure the speedy disposal of civil and criminal cases, the development of a Professional Excellence Index to benchmark judicial performance, and the introduction of ethical guidelines governing the use of Artificial Intelligence in legal processes.
The symposium placed special emphasis on enhancing the wellbeing of Pakistan’s district judiciary. Discussions centered around addressing undue external influences, improving performance evaluation systems, standardizing recruitment procedures, ensuring parity in terms of service and benefits, and improving opportunities for international exposure and training.
The event underscored the importance of holistic reforms not only to increase judicial efficiency, but also to support the mental health and welfare of judicial officers—a critical step toward advancing responsive justice in the country.
