LAHORE: In a major judicial reform aimed at curbing the rising number of frivolous petitions, Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has made it mandatory for petitioners to submit their biometric data and photograph when filing a case in Punjab’s subordinate judiciary.
The directive, communicated through a formal letter to all sessions judges across the province, introduces a new set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that require every individual filing a petition to personally appear at a designated court desk to undergo biometric verification.
Along with this, a photograph must be attached to the petition. Previously, individuals could submit a plea simply by attaching a photocopy of their CNIC (Computerised National Identity Card).
The move, according to the LHC, is aimed at discouraging unnecessary litigation that often clogs an already burdened judicial system.
Vice Chairman of the Punjab Bar Council, Irfan Sadiq Tarar, hailed the decision as a welcome and necessary reform. “This is a laudable step by the chief justice. It will significantly discourage the filing of baseless and politically motivated petitions,” he said while speaking to the media.
Tarar also emphasized the importance of facilitating the public by ensuring biometric systems and web cameras are installed at all sessions courts across Punjab.
Legal expert Shahid Nazir echoed similar sentiments, saying the new SOPs would increase transparency and accountability in the legal process.
He went a step further by suggesting that biometric verification should also be extended to lawyers filing petitions on behalf of clients. “Both the petitioner and the lawyer’s photographs should be affixed to the first page of the petition,” Nazir recommended.
The reform is expected to be rolled out across Punjab in the coming weeks, with implementation monitored by the relevant judicial authorities.
