KPJA and UNODC Conclude Specialized Training on Adjudicating Emerging Crimes (10-12 June, 2026)
PESHAWAR, June 12, 2026 – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy (KPJA), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), successfully concluded a specialized three-day workshop titled "Emerging Crimes: Digital Tools, Electronic Evidence, Virtual Assets and Artificial Intelligence". The workshop, held from June 10 to 12, was designed to equip the provincial judiciary with the expertise required to navigate the complex legal and evidentiary challenges posed by rapid technological advancements.
The training brought together 18 Judicial Officers representing every tier of the KP judiciary, including District & Sessions Judges/Zila Qazis, Additional District & Sessions Judges/Izafi Zila Qazis, Senior Civil Judges/Aala Ilaqa Qazis, and Civil Judges-cum-Judicial Magistrates/Ilaqa Qazis. The program aimed to strengthen the participants' understanding of digital forensics, the legal admissibility of electronic evidence in Pakistan, and the emerging threat landscapes of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Assets.
The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Muhammad Zeb Khan, Registrar of the Peshawar High Court, who served as the Chief Guest. Mr. Jehanzeb Shinwari, Director General of KPJA, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the critical role of judges in safeguarding due process while handling digital evidence.
The academic sessions began with Mr. Umair Nazar (UNODC) providing an introduction to digital forensic principles and the essential requirements for maintaining a secure chain of custody. This was followed by a session on the judicial consideration of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and the authentication of online evidence. The day concluded with an in-depth analysis of the National Legal Framework led by Mr. Ahmed Iftikhar, Dean Faculty at KPJA, who used relevant case studies to illustrate evidentiary standards for electronic evidence in Pakistani courts.
The second day focused on high-tech criminal modalities. Mr. M. Aqib Bangash (Intelligence X One) led sessions on the AI threat landscape, detailing crimes such as deepfakes, automated fraud, and disinformation. Participants explored the evidentiary challenges of authenticating AI-generated content and the difficulties of attribution in AI-assisted crimes.
In the afternoon, Mr. Farhan Nawazish (UNODC) introduced the judiciary to the world of virtual assets. The session provided a practical understanding of blockchain analysis, transaction tracing, and the use of digital wallets and mixers in criminal activity, highlighting the unique investigative and legal hurdles faced in the local context.
The final day was dedicated to an intensive Practical Exercise facilitated by UNODC, where participants applied their new knowledge to evaluate complex scenarios involving digital evidence, AI content, and virtual asset investigations. These hands-on simulations ensured that the judicial officers could effectively assess the admissibility and reliability of technology-enabled evidence in a courtroom setting.
The workshop culminated in a concluding ceremony chaired by Mr. Jehanzeb Shinwari, DG KPJA, and attended by all Directors of the Academy. The program concluded with a shared commitment to ensuring that the judiciary remains equipped to support the fair and effective administration of justice as technology continues to reshape the criminal landscape.