The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts for Timely Judgement

The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s March 2025 decision in Ishfaq Ahmed vs. Mushtaq Ahmed marks a defining moment in the digital evolution of Pakistan’s judiciary. Acknowledging the need for systemic reform in the face of overwhelming case backlogs, especially in the lower courts, the Court endorsed Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool to enhance judicial efficiency. However, it drew a sharp ethical and constitutional boundary: AI must support, not supplant, human judges.
This policy brief outlines the current and potential uses of AI in the judiciary, identifies risks and ethical concerns, and proposes recommendations for responsible implementation in Pakistan. Drawing from the Supreme Court’s judgment and global best practices, it presents a roadmap for the judiciary to adopt AI in ways that promote fairness, efficiency, and public trust.