Supreme Court urges AI adoption to tackle 2.2m case backlog in Pakistan

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has underscored the urgent need to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and smart case management systems into the judiciary for speedy justice, 24NewsHD TV reported on Saturday.  

In a landmark written judgement issued by Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Ayesha Malik on a decade-old auction case, the court observed that delayed justice undermines the rule of law and weakens judicial credibility. 

"It disproportionately affects marginalized groups who cannot bear the costs of protracted litigation."

The case, originating from a 2011 auction dispute, remained pending in the Peshawar High Court for ten years before moving to the Supreme Court in 2022, where it had still not been heard.

Ultimately, the petition was dismissed after 14 years due to the absence of the petitioner or a representative.

"The prolonged delays in court proceedings often amount to the denial of justice. Delay in justice is not merely a denial of justice; in many cases, it amounts to the end of justice,” the judgement stated.

The apex court highlighted that more than 2.2 million cases are currently pending across Pakistan, including nearly 55,941 in the Supreme Court alone.

The justices warned that such a backlog harms institutional reputation, deters investment, and weakens public trust in the judiciary.

The judgement stressed the need for a modern, accountable, and smart case management system, with AI playing a pivotal role in streamlining proceedings, ensuring accountability, and enabling the timely disposal of cases.

Despite recognizing that AI cannot fully replace judicial discretion, the justices noted that advanced technology could minimize inefficiencies, reduce unnecessary delays, and strengthen public confidence in the courts.