A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Joel Turkewitz, met with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, who is also the chairman of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, at the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The meeting, held at the request of the Finance Division, focused on judicial reforms, accountability, and the judiciary’s role in ensuring institutional stability.
The CJP told the delegation the judiciary is not used to having direct interactions with such missions, but that this meeting is taking place because the Finance Division requested it. He stated that he would be cautious about his words and ideas.
According to a statement issued by the Supreme Court, CJP Afridi welcomed the IMF delegation and provided an overview of the ongoing efforts of the judicial performance aimed at enhancing efficiency and transparency. He emphasized that Pakistan’s judiciary operates independently, and it is his responsibility to uphold that independence.
While highlighting key constitutional developments, the CJP discussed key constitutional developments regarding the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), including senior judicial appointments, accountability mechanisms and restructuring of the JCP. He also proposed merging the Judicial Commission and the parliamentary committee to ensure greater transparency and efficiency in judicial selections.
Judicial accountability and transparency
Discussions also covered mechanisms for handling complaints against judges and ensuring a fair and robust accountability system. Chief Justice Afridi underscored the importance of maintaining judicial integrity, stating that transparency and accountability are essential for upholding the rule of law.
Additionally, he informed the delegation about the upcoming National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) meeting, scheduled for the last week of February, for which a critical agenda is being finalised in conjunction with a variety of stakeholders. The CJP stated that he is open to any suggestions for inclusion in the planned agenda, and invited the IMF delegation to provide suggestions.
IMF delegation’s appreciation
The IMF team recognised the judiciary's role in ensuring legal and institutional stability, and it praised continuing reforms aimed at improving governance and accountability. The conversation reinforced a shared commitment to increasing judicial efficiency and preserving the rule of law as a foundation for economic and social success.
The meeting was attended by the Supreme Court registrar, Supreme Judicial Council secretary, Judicial Commission of Pakistan secretary, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan secretary and the , Federal Judicial Academy director.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi presented a souvenir to the IMF delegation as a goodwill gesture, while the delegation expressed gratitude for the insightful discussions.
On Monday, the IMF mission visiting Pakistan held a series of high-level meetings with officials from various institutions, focusing on economic reforms, anti-corruption efforts, and financial crime prevention. The meeting lasted for an hour.
During other meetings, Pakistani officials briefed the IMF delegation on measures to curb corruption, prevent financial crimes, and combat money laundering. Special emphasis was placed on preventing suspicious transactions and terrorist financing, with officials stating that effective steps have been implemented in these areas.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) also provided a detailed briefing on its digitalization initiatives, efforts to curb smuggling, and measures to prevent tax evasion. The IMF representatives stressed the need to digitize land records to enhance transparency and governance.
Meetings with key institutions
The IMF delegation has so far met with officials from:
- Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
- Federal Land Commission
- Financial Monitoring Unit
- National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Authority
- Cabinet Division
- Ministry of Finance
- Ministry of Law
