Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi on Monday chaired a meeting on enhancing collaboration between bar associations and the Law & Justice Commission.

The meeting was held at the Supreme Court Registry in Quetta during the chief justice’s first visit to Balochistan’s provincial capital.

According to a press release issued by the Supreme Court, the meeting was aimed at strengthening institutional coordination to improve the delivery of justice.

The meeting was attended by Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court Justice Rozi Khan, BHC Registrar, representatives from the Supreme Court Bar, Pakistan Bar Council, Balochistan Bar, and officials from federal and provincial departments, including the Planning & Development division.

Justice Afridi announced the appointment of Law Commission representatives in each province, who will monitor ongoing development projects at the district bar level.

The meeting also addressed concerns over the lack of judicial infrastructure in underdeveloped districts, and directed for the effective implementation of justice delivery projects at the district level.

In a major step toward expanding access to justice, the chief justice announced that free legal representation would be provided to poor litigants, with lawyers being compensated up to Rs50,000 at the state’s expense

He also approved the extension of legal aid services up to the Supreme Court level, instructing bar associations to nominate eligible lawyers.

The chief justice emphasised the importance of training lawyers through programmes offered by the Federal Judicial Academy, and directed that the training calendar be widely shared with bar associations to ensure broader participation.

He further stressed the need for joint efforts by all stakeholders to enhance the justice system, announcing that further consultations on bar-related issues would take place in the next meeting in Karachi.

Earlier in the day, Justice Afridi arrived in Quetta on his first official visit as Chief Justice of Pakistan, where he was received at the Supreme Court’s Quetta Registry amid tight security arrangements.

Two Supreme Court benches are currently hearing cases at the Quetta Registry – Bench 1 includes Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Shakeel Ahmed, while Bench 2 comprises Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Musarrat Hilali.

Legal experts have termed the chief justice’s visit and these initiatives as significant steps toward judicial reform and efficient case resolution in Balochistan.