ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - A delegation of the European Union (EU), led by Ambassador Raimundas Karoblis, called on Chief Justice of Pakistan, Yahya Afridi at the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday and discussed judicial reforms, rule of law, gender-responsive justice, and institutional stability.
The visiting delegation included Head of Cooperation Jeroen Willems, Head of Political Section Piotr Buszta, Governance and Human Capital Development Expert Sebastien Lorion, and Development Adviser (Rule of Law) Una Kelly. Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nazia Sheikh also attended the meeting along with senior officials of the Supreme Court and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, said a news release issued by the Supreme Court.
During the meeting, the chief justice briefed the delegation on ongoing judicial reform initiatives aimed at improving institutional performance through citizen-centric and technology-enabled measures. He highlighted steps being taken to make the justice system more transparent, accessible, efficient, and cost-effective for litigants.
The chief justice also informed the delegation about reforms promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, particularly in commercial and high-impact revenue matters, to reduce litigation and enhance investors’ confidence.
The delegation was further briefed on the Gender-Responsive Justice Initiative (GRJI) 2026-27, which envisaged the establishment of Women Facilitation Centers in judicial complexes across the country to provide safe and accessible support services for women litigants.
The discussion also covered institutional mechanisms relating to enforced disappearances and measures to safeguard judicial independence within the constitutional framework. The EU delegation appreciated the judiciary’s efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, judicial efficiency, and technology-enabled governance. The delegation particularly welcomed initiatives related to mediation, arbitration, gender-responsive justice, and citizen-focused service delivery.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting rule of law, protection of human rights, judicial efficiency, and inclusive governance as essential for sustainable economic and social development. They also agreed to continue cooperation under the Supreme Court’s reform agenda and the European Union’s upcoming programmes concerning rule of law, prison support, and commercial dispute resolution.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the chief justice presented a souvenir to the delegation as a gesture of goodwill.