ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China are expanding judicial cooperation through technology partnerships, training programmes and institutional exchanges, a move experts say could help modernize Pakistan’s court system and address a growing backlog of cases.
The collaboration has gained momentum following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in August 2025 between the Supreme Court of Pakistan and China’s Supreme People’s Court. The agreement established a framework for judicial exchanges, technology cooperation, capacity building and collaboration in emerging legal fields. The Pakistan-China judicial cooperation initiative is increasingly being viewed as a potential pathway for introducing artificial intelligence and digital tools into Pakistan’s justice system.
The partnership has been strengthened through the participation of Pakistani judicial delegations in several international forums, including the 20th Conference of Chief Justices of Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in Hangzhou, the 9th China-South Asia Legal Training Programme in Shanghai, and the 8th China-AALCO Exchange and Research Programme on International Law in Beijing.
A delegation comprising information technology officials from Pakistan’s Supreme Court and various high courts is also scheduled to visit China in July 2026 to study digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence in judicial processes.
Growing pressure on Pakistan’s courts
The cooperation comes as Pakistan’s judiciary faces a mounting caseload.
According to the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan’s Bi-Annual Judicial Statistics Report for July–December 2025, more than 2.22 million cases were pending across superior and district courts as of December 31, 2025.
Legal experts believe technology-driven reforms could help improve efficiency, reduce delays and streamline administrative functions within the judicial system.
Lessons from China’s Smart Court model
China’s judicial reforms have attracted international attention through the development of its Smart Court system, which incorporates artificial intelligence and digital technologies into court administration.
Among the technologies being studied is the AI-assisted 206 System, developed by the Shanghai People’s High Court in collaboration with technology company iFlytek. The system helps review evidence, identify inconsistencies and support case management.
China has also deployed iFlytek’s speech recognition technology in more than 4,200 courtrooms. According to the company, the system can reduce trial duration by nearly 30 percent.
Experts see opportunities and limits for AI adoption
Speaking to Wealth Pakistan, Dr. Kashif Javed, Associate Professor at Lahore Leads University’s Department of Law, said Pakistan could adopt technological tools from China without altering the core structure of its legal system.
He noted that Pakistan follows a common law and adversarial legal framework, while China operates under an inquisitorial model. Despite these differences, he said AI-powered administrative tools could be adapted to improve efficiency.
Dr. Javed suggested that systems capable of reviewing evidence and identifying contradictions before trial proceedings could help judges and lawyers focus on disputed issues more effectively.
He also emphasized that artificial intelligence should remain a support tool rather than replace judicial decision-making.
“The AI does not decide guilt or innocence; the judge does. It simply assembles the record,” he said.
According to Dr. Javed, Pakistan’s case backlog is largely an administrative challenge, making solutions such as automated scheduling systems and real-time transcription practical options for improving court operations.
However, he cautioned against allowing AI systems to independently assess witness credibility or investigate facts, arguing that such functions could conflict with Pakistan’s legal principles.
Digital courts and access to justice
Syed Abdullah Anwer, an advocate of Pakistan’s high courts, said the success of judicial cooperation would depend on structured training programmes and certification mechanisms for judicial officers and court staff.
He noted that Pakistan could benefit from technologies used in China’s Smart Court reforms, including case-tracking systems, automated scheduling and AI-assisted legal research tools.
According to Anwer, such systems could help judicial officers focus more on substantive legal matters by reducing administrative workloads.
He also highlighted the potential benefits of virtual courts and electronic filing systems, particularly for people living in remote areas who face challenges accessing legal services.
Anwer further suggested that Pakistan explore blockchain-based evidence management systems used in China, which create tamper-resistant digital records that may assist in areas such as land and commercial disputes.
As Pakistan seeks to modernize its judicial infrastructure, legal experts say cooperation with China offers an opportunity to study technologies that could improve efficiency while remaining consistent with the country’s constitutional and legal framework.
Also Read: China’s AI education strategy offers lessons for Pakistan’s workforce development goals
Today's E-Paper