A delegation from the IMF's Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment team met with representatives of the SCBA on Friday to discuss deficiencies in the judicial system and efforts to curb corruption in government institutions.
SCBAP President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta led the association's delegation in the discussions. The IMF team is in Pakistan as part of the ongoing review of the judicial framework under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The meeting lasted for over an hour and took place in a cordial and constructive atmosphere.
The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) member Hasan Raza Pasha, along with SCBA Additional Secretary Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan and Balochistan High Court Bar Association President Mir Ataullah Lango, were also present during the discussions.
According to a statement issued by the SCBA, the primary focus of the meeting was curbing corruption to create an investment-friendly environment in Pakistan. The SCBA president highlighted flaws in the judicial system, including case backlog at lower and district courts and the shortage of judges.
The discussion also covered inactive government departments and the potential of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to reduce the burden on courts and improve public access to justice.
The meeting further discussed strategies to combat corruption, enhance governance and implement legal reforms. The SCBA president stressed the need for strict measures against financial crimes to strengthen Pakistan's economy.
Addressing concerns over judicial accountability, Mian Rauf Ata underlined that the legal system already has a mechanism for reward and punishment. He elaborated that the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) addresses complaints against higher judiciary judges while relevant High Courts oversee district judges.
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