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April 11, 2025The Supreme Court of Pakistan has recommended the regulated adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the judiciary to enhance efficiency and reduce case backlogs, particularly at the district court level.
In an 18-page judgment authored by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, the court emphasized that AI must only be used as a supportive tool and not in ways that compromise judicial independence, constitutional principles, or public trust.
The judgment urged the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan to develop comprehensive guidelines outlining permissible uses of AI in judicial processes. The court stressed the need for calibrated integration, welcoming AI’s potential to streamline functions and legal research without replacing the human conscience essential to justice.
“Courts must pursue a calibrated integration harnessing AI’s efficiencies without surrendering the conscience, independence, and humanity that justice demands,” the judgment stated.
The court also highlighted Smart Legal Research as a key area where AI can assist judges by efficiently extracting relevant case law and legal commentary. However, it reiterated that human judgment and ethical reasoning remain irreplaceable.
The bench called on judicial institutions to address systemic delays and adopt innovative case management systems, warning that without reform, the right to fair and timely justice under Articles 10A and 37(d) of the Constitution may be undermined.
