The International Monetary Fund\u2019s (IMF) technical team, currently in Pakistan to review the judicial and regulatory framework under the $7 billion bailout deal, met Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi on Tuesday to discuss programme implementation and property rights. Meanwhile, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar clarified that such meetings were considered part of the IMF and World Bank\u2019s usual scope of work. The IMF team is visiting the country for a week-long scrutiny of the judicial and regulatory system as part of the ongoing $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to address governance and corruption vulnerabilities. It will examine six key governance-related sectors and institutions, according to a statement from the Ministry of Finance. According to a press release by the Surpeme Court, the CJP provided an overview of \u201cthe ongoing efforts to enhance judicial performance.\u201d He further informed the mission that the \u201cjudiciary in Pakistan is independent, and being head of the institution, it is his responsibility to protect the independence,\u201d the statement read, adding that CJP Afridi also highlighted that the judiciary was not used to direct interactions with missions. CJP Afridi also stated he would be \u201cquite guarded\u201d when it came to his comments and views. According to the statement, he also \u201chighlighted key constitutional developments with respect to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan and reforms, including senior-level judicial appointments, judicial accountability, and the restructuring of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP)\u201d. He went on to elaborate on the \u201cmerits of integrating the judiciary and the parliamentary committee to ensure a more transparent and efficient judicial selection process.\u201d CJP Yahya also informed the delegation that the Supreme Court was in the \u201cprocess of finalising a critical agenda for the upcoming NJPMC meeting expected in the last week of February.\u201d \u201cDiscussions during the meeting also centered on judicial accountability and the mechanisms for addressing complaints against judges,\u201d the report said, adding that the country\u2019s chief justice also underscored on \u201cthe importance of a robust and fair accountability process\u201d for the integrity and independence of the judiciary. Meanwhile, the IMF team recognised the judiciary\u2019s role \u201cin maintaining legal and institutional stability,\u201d expressing its appreciation for the ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening governance and accountability. \u201cThe discussion reaffirmed a shared commitment to enhancing judicial efficiency and upholding the rule of law as a cornerstone of economic and social progress,\u201d the statement added. While speaking to journalists after the meeting, CJP Yahya Afridi said that a six-member team had also sought details regarding the programme\u2019s implementation and property rights. \u201cI told the IMF that it has come to Pakistan at the best time,\u201d he said, adding that the judges told the team about judicial reforms and the National Judicial Policy. CJP Afridi also said, \u201cWe have asked both the government and the opposition for an agenda for judicial reforms.\u201d Additionally, CJP Afridi highlighted that the team also made \u201csuggestions regarding the protection of property rights\u201d. \u201cI also talked about the National Judicial Policy-Making Committee \u2014 I told the delegation that we will make suggestions, we will create benches for early hearing in the high courts,\u201d he stated. Meanwhile, the delegation, according to the CJP, insisted that it wanted to protect foreign investment in the country. Moreover, CJP Afridi said he also told the team that it was not the judges\u2019 job to \u201cdisclose all the details\u201d, underscoring that they had taken \u201can oath of independence of the judiciary under the Constitution\u201d. \u201cI told the delegation about the agenda of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee, I told the delegation that the subordinate judiciary is supervised by the high courts,\u201d he added. Separately, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the rule of law was a component of the multilateral arrangements with organisations such as the IMF, World Bank, and the United Nations. \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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