Islamabad (Web Desk): A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Mr. Joel Turkewitz, recently visited the Supreme Court (SC) where they met with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi, who also serves as the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP).
The meeting, held at the SC premises, provided an opportunity for the Chief Justice to offer a detailed overview of the steps being taken to improve the performance of the judiciary in Pakistan.
In his remarks, the Chief Justice welcomed the IMF team and emphasized that Pakistan’s judiciary operates independently, underlining its commitment to upholding justice.
He acknowledged that while direct engagement with international missions like the IMF is not typical for the judiciary, this particular interaction was initiated at the request of the Finance Division.
The CJP took the opportunity to highlight important constitutional developments, focusing on reforms aimed at enhancing judicial accountability, improving the process of judicial appointments, and the restructuring of the JCP.
He particularly pointed out the merits of involving both the judiciary and the parliamentary committee in the judicial selection process, which he believes would increase transparency and ensure greater efficiency.
He also shared that the Supreme Court is finalizing an important agenda for the upcoming meeting of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC), which is scheduled for the end of February.
This agenda, being developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, is a step toward refining policies that can further enhance judicial efficiency.
CJP Yahya expressed openness to receiving any suggestions or proposals from the IMF delegation regarding the agenda.
A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to judicial accountability, with the CJP stressing the need for a fair and transparent system for addressing complaints against judges.
He reiterated that maintaining the judiciary's integrity is vital for the country’s overall legal and institutional stability.
The IMF delegation acknowledged the significant role the judiciary plays in preserving stability and praised the ongoing reforms that aim to fortify governance and accountability within the system.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties reaffirming their shared goal of ensuring judicial efficiency and reinforcing the rule of law as essential for economic and social progress.
At the end of the meeting, the Chief Justice of Pakistan presented Souvenir to the delegation as a gesture of goodwill. The delegation extended thanks and gratitude to the CJP.