Judicial processes go cashless

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday signed a tripartite agreement with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and 1LINK (Guarantee) Ltd for the integration of digital payment solutions into judicial processes, marking another significant milestone in the court’s ongoing digitisation and public facilitation initiatives. The agreement was signed in the presence of the Registrar and senior officers of the Supreme Court, as well as senior representatives of the SBP and 1LINK. The initiative forms part of the broader reform agenda being pursued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan to promote citizen-centric service delivery through technology-enabled solutions. Upon implementation, litigants and legal practitioners will be able to pay court fees electronically through approved digital channels, replacing the existing manual legal fee stamp system and facilitating a more efficient, transparent, and accessible payment mechanism. The digital payment framework is expected to streamline financial transactions relating to judicial services, reduce processing time and administrative burden, and minimise reliance on paper-based procedures. It will also enhance transparency, accountability, and ease of access for litigants and other court users. The participants highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to improve institutional efficiency and public facilitation. The initiative is expected to contribute to the broader objectives of digital governance and the modernisation of judicial administration. Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2026