Today, Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP), met with representatives of the Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Islamabad. He was accompanied by Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan, Additional Secretary, and Mir Attaullah Langove, President of the High Court Bar Association, Balochistan. The meeting was held in a constructive and productive atmosphere.
The discussion, which lasted over an hour, covered a range of topics, with a primary focus on eliminating corrupt practices to create an inclusive environment for attracting foreign investment to Pakistan. Additionally, the meeting addressed loopholes in the judicial system, particularly case pendency in lower and district courts, the shortage of judges, departmental inefficiencies, and possible measures—such as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)—to reduce the burden on the judiciary and enhance the dispensation of justice.
The IMF representatives also discussed broader issues related to tackling corruption in government institutions, promoting good governance, and implementing legal reforms to strengthen the judicial hierarchy, all of which are essential for fostering a stronger and more vibrant economy. In this regard, the SCBAP President emphasised the need for stringent measures to combat financial crimes and boost economic stability.
Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta highlighted that Pakistan's judicial system already has a framework of accountability through a system of punishment and reward. He pointed out that the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) is responsible for addressing complaints against judges of the higher judiciary, while respective high courts handle matters related to district judges. To illustrate this, he cited the case of a sitting Supreme Court judge who was removed from office last year following a complaint filed with the SJC.
He further reiterated that the rule of law is the cornerstone of a democratic society and reaffirmed SCBAP’s commitment to upholding the Constitution, ensuring institutional supremacy, and maintaining judicial independence.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides expressing their desire for such engagements to take place more frequently in the future.