Excessive reforms may weaken the state structure: Asif Nazrul
"We have not been able to do much, but we hope that even after a new government takes office, these initiatives will continue. Otherwise, they will fade away," he added.
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has said that reforms must be realistic and gradual; otherwise, excessive changes may end up weakening the state's institutional structure.
Speaking at the inauguration of Dhaka's e-Family Courts today (24 November) at the Jagannath-Sohel Memorial Auditorium of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, he said, "Just as our athletes cannot survive Usain Bolt–style 20-hour training, the state also cannot absorb reforms beyond its capacity. Over-reforming can damage the structure. That needs careful consideration."
He said many people complain that reforms are not visible, but significant changes have already begun, such as mandatory legal aid in family disputes, increasing the number of judges in family courts, and launching e-family courts in 20 districts with plans to expand to all 64 districts. Once fully functional, he said, one-third of pending cases could be reduced and case backlog cut by 50% within five years.
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Dr Nazrul emphasised that meaningful reforms do not require constitutional amendments, citing examples like VAT implementation, environmental laws, and the eradication of acid violence. Reform is a gradual process, he added, referring to Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew who took 10 years for major changes.
He urged lawyers to act as guardians of the new digital systems, such as e-registration, e-judiciary, online testimony, and prevent them from being misused. Digitalisation, he noted, reduces cost, time, corruption and increases access to justice.
Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said court premises have long been unfriendly to litigants, but e-family courts could genuinely help people, if not obstructed by "server-down conspiracies" or vested groups resisting change. She stressed that reform must occur both in systems and mindsets.
ICT Adviser's Special Assistant Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said the launch of e-family courts in Dhaka and Chattogram will help ease case backlog and reduce hassle.
Advisers later visited the newly launched e-family courts. Senior judges, lawyers, and law-enforcement officials were present at the event.
