In a significant move to modernize the legal system, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has rolled out a mandatory biometric verification system for all court proceedings. This initiative, a major step towards a digital judiciary, is designed to root out fraudulent cases and enhance public trust.
A Directive for Digital Transformation
The decision was taken following the directives of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee. LHC Chief Justice Miss Aalia Neelum issued formal instructions for its implementation, as confirmed by a press release from the high court on Tuesday.
The core of the new policy mandates that all parties involved in a case must verify their identity biometrically. This requirement extends beyond just the litigants. Witnesses and individuals standing as sureties will also be obligated to undergo the same biometric verification process before their involvement in any legal matter is formally recorded.
How the New Biometric System Will Work
The newly introduced judicial biometric system will be fully integrated with the database maintained by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). This linkage is crucial to ensure the authenticity of identities and prevent impersonation or the use of fabricated documents.
To make the process convenient for the public, biometric verification facilities will also be accessible at NADRA's e-Sahulat centers. This decentralized approach is expected to significantly facilitate litigants, especially those from remote areas.
Province-Wide Implementation to Curb Fraud
The rollout of this system will be comprehensive. It will be implemented at the LHC's Principal Seat in Lahore and all its benches located in Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rawalpindi. Furthermore, the directive applies to all district courts across the province of Punjab.
Court authorities have high expectations for this digital intervention. The primary goals are clear and impactful:
- To eliminate the filing of fake and frivolous litigation.
- To curb forgery and the submission of fraudulent documents.
- To prevent the use of bogus witnesses and sureties in court cases.
Officials believe this move will fundamentally strengthen transparency and accountability within the judicial process. By ensuring that every individual involved is accurately identified, the system aims to enhance public confidence in legal outcomes and provide greater protection to genuine litigants seeking justice.
