25 April 2025, Islamabad —The Ministry of Law and Justice(MoLJ), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organized the Annual Symposium for Judges on “Technology for Justice” in Islamabad, bringing together 65 judges, policymakers, and legal experts to explore the intersection of law, innovation, and technology in modernizing Pakistan’s justice system. Out of these, 15 were female.
The symposium commenced with a welcome address from the Director General of the Federal Judicial Academy, Hayat Ali Shah, highlighting the growing importance of technology in promoting the rule of law and access to justice. In his opening remarks, the Federal Secretary of MoLJ, Raja Naeem Akbar, reaffirmed the government's commitment to digital transformation within the judiciary.
The proceedings began with a detailed session on Transforming Justice through Technology, showcasing national and provincial initiatives. Presentations from the MoLJ, Sindh Judiciary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judiciary, and the Federal Judicial Academy highlighted successful innovations such as case assignment management system, document management systems, and other technology initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and access to justice across Pakistan.
An important panel discussion on Emerging Crimes and Virtual Assets brought together experts from the Ministry of IT, Ministry of Law, and UNODC. Panelists discussed the challenges posed by the rise of virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies, in facilitating financial crimes, and stressed the need for updated legislation, capacity-building of law enforcement, and enhanced inter-agency collaboration to effectively tackle this evolving threat.
In the afternoon sessions, participants explored the Use of Technology in Witness Protection, with experts emphasizing the role of digital communication, and remote testimony in protecting vulnerable witnesses, particularly in terrorism and organized crime cases. The following session on Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Legal Research offered an exciting glimpse into the future of legal practice. Demonstrations showed how AI-powered tools can assist judges and lawyers in case analysis, drafting opinions, and research. However, speakers emphasized that these technologies should complement, not replace, human expertise, ethics, and judgment.
In his distinguished address, Honourable Mr. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb of the Supreme Court of Pakistan eloquently underscored the significance of maintaining the human element in judicial processes. He stressed that while technology, especially AI, could enhance efficiency and support decision-making, it cannot substitute the empathy, discretion, and nuanced reasoning essential to justice.
Closing the event, the State Minister for Law and Justice, Mr. Aqeel Malik, highlighted the government's major technology-driven initiatives in the justice sector and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to building a robust, tech-enabled judicial system aligned with international best practices.
The symposium concluded with a group photo and high tea, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration, optimism, and shared resolve to embrace technology as a catalyst for a fairer, faster, and more transparent justice system in Pakistan.
