The Islamabad High Court (IHC), in its annual report, has highlighted significant progress in expeditious case disposal, particularly in tax and revenue matters, alongside a series of wide-ranging administrative and technological reforms aimed at strengthening judicial efficiency and public confidence.
In line with policy directions of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC), the Chief Justice initiated targeted administrative measures to address long-pending cases and improve overall case management.
Rs506 Billion in Tax Cases Decided
A key initiative was the constitution of specialized division benches to exclusively hear tax and revenue matters, which had remained pending for years and were impacting public revenue realization.
Two dedicated division benches were formed to hear tax references. One bench comprised Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, while the other included Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas. At one stage, Justice Babar Sattar also sat with Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz on tax matters.
Between April 1, 2025 and February 4, 2026, the specialized tax benches decided 788 cases involving approximately Rs506.13 billion.
According to the report, Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan disposed of 306 cases involving over Rs16.02 billion. Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz decided 304 cases involving Rs33.92 billion. Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas disposed of 178 cases involving Rs456.18 billion.
The court stated that the initiative substantially reduced pendency and facilitated early release of revenue previously tied up in litigation.
Technology Integration and Digital Measures
To accelerate proceedings, the court introduced technology-driven mechanisms. Dedicated focal persons from revenue departments were appointed to ensure timely service of notices. Notices are now issued through electronic means, including WhatsApp and email, alongside conventional methods.
The IHC also established a dedicated police cell within court premises to expedite service of notices in bail matters. As a result, over 3,000 bail applications were disposed of during the past year.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for video-link proceedings were approved, enabling under-trial prisoners to attend routine hearings remotely, while maintaining mandatory physical appearance for framing of charges and recording of statements under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Official witnesses, including officers from agencies such as FIA, NADRA, FSL and PTA, are also permitted to appear via video link under strict procedural safeguards.
The court is further working to integrate its digital systems with law enforcement agencies, including the FIA and Islamabad police stations, to allow real-time access to FIRs and investigation records.
Bench-Wise Disposal and Judicial Performance
The report details bench-wise disposal from April 1, 2025 to February 4, 2026. Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas disposed of 2,176 cases, Justice Muhammad Azam Khan 1,977 cases, and Justice Muhammad Asif 1,495 cases.
The Chief Justice disposed of 1,115 cases during the reporting period, while other judges also recorded substantial disposals across various categories.
Confirmation of Additional Judges
During the reporting period, Justices Muhammad Azam Khan, Muhammad Asif, and Inaam Ameen Minhas were appointed as Additional Judges on January 20, 2025.
Following completion of their tenure and evaluation of performance and integrity, they were confirmed by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. The report notes that this marks the first instance in the court’s history where all additional judges were confirmed simultaneously without extension.
Major Administrative Reforms
The court also finalized and enforced comprehensive Practice and Procedure Rules effective February 4, 2025. These include Civil Courts Rules (Volumes I and II), Instructions to Criminal Courts (Volume III), Superintendence and Control Rules (Volume IV), and Practice and Procedure Rules (Volume V).
The Islamabad High Court Establishment (Appointment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2025 were notified to regulate recruitment and service conditions of court employees.
Specialized benches were also constituted for matters relating to educational institutions, financial recovery cases, corporate restructuring, and companies law.
E-Filing and Overseas Pakistanis
To facilitate overseas litigants, the IHC introduced specialized e-filing rules enabling remote institution and pursuit of cases. A dedicated bench was also nominated to hear cases of Overseas Pakistanis.
The Copying Branch was digitally transformed to enable same-day issuance of certified copies, significantly reducing turnaround time.
Professional and Welfare Measures
In 2025, the court issued 240 fitness certificates for advocates seeking enrollment in the Supreme Court, while 457 advocates were enrolled as Advocates of the High Court.
Leave Rules, 2025 were approved to standardize entitlements for judicial officers and staff.
The report also highlights welfare measures, including grant of honorarium to court employees and consideration of a time-scale advancement policy for employees serving in the same post for over ten years.
Promotions were granted to Ms Zeba Chaudhary, Mr Abdul Ghafoor, and Mr Humayun Dilawar from Additional District Judge to District & Sessions Judge.
Several long-pending disciplinary inquiries were also concluded during the year, including a case pending since 2020, resulting in release of withheld pensionary benefits.
The annual report concludes that the reforms reflect the court’s commitment to institutional strengthening, digital transformation, and timely justice delivery.