Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Judicial Academy (KPJA) successfully conducted a six-week Pre-Promotion Statutory Training Programme for Additional District & Sessions Judges, marking a significant milestone in judicial capacity building and professional development. The comprehensive programme was designed to prepare judges for higher responsibilities through structured, outcome-based, and graded training.
The training commenced on December 20, 2025 with an inaugural ceremony graced by senior judiciary and academy leadership and brought together 29 Additional District & Sessions Judges from across the province. Over the course of six weeks, the participants underwent an intensive academic and practical regimen covering a wide range of subjects central to judicial, administrative, and leadership excellence.
The programme featured sessions on judicial ethics, case and court management, special courts, public procurement, financial management, audit, efficiency and discipline rules, pension and service matters, ADR, judicial leadership, communication and writing skills, emotional intelligence, stress management, and accountability mechanisms. A strong emphasis was placed on research methodology, critical thinking, evidence law, project planning, monitoring and evaluation, and modern governance tools relevant to judicial administration.
In line with contemporary needs, the training also introduced judges to Generative Artificial Intelligence in courts, including ethical use of AI, legal research, document drafting, and productivity tools, equipping participants with insights into emerging technologies shaping the justice sector. Practical ICT sessions on MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and project management software further enhanced digital competence.
Distinguished Hon’ble Judges of the Peshawar High Court, senior judicial officers, academicians, subject-matter experts, and experienced civil servants served as resource persons. Their interaction-based lectures, experience sharing, and practical exercises enriched the learning experience and encouraged reflective judicial practice.
A notable component of the programme was participant-led presentations, promoting peer learning, analytical thinking, and communication skills. The trainees also attended specialized workshops, including an inter-provincial Criminal Justice Coordination Committees (CJCCs) workshop, and spent a week in Lahore at the National Institute of Management (NIM) and Punjab Judicial Academy (PJA), broadening their exposure and fostering inter-institutional learning.
The training culminated in a post-training test, conducted by the Academic and IT Wings of KPJA. As the first graded training programme of its kind, all participants keenly appeared in the assessment, reflecting their commitment to professional growth and merit-based progression.
The Concluding Ceremony, held on 31st December, 2026, was graced by Hon’ble Mr. Justice S. M. Attique Shah, Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court and Chairman, Board of Governors, KPJA, as Chief Guest. Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Justice emphasized judicial integrity, leadership, and the importance of continuous learning. The Director General KPJA highlighted the Academy’s vision of strengthening judicial institutions through structured training. On behalf of the participants, the Class Representative appreciated the Academy’s academic standards, faculty, facilities, and administration. Certificates were distributed among the successful participants.
The successful completion of this six-week programme underscores KPJA’s commitment to professional excellence, accountability, and continuous judicial education, contributing meaningfully to strengthening the justice delivery system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.