IMF seeks details of programme implementation, property rights in meeting with CJP

The International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s technical team, which is in Pakistan to scrutinise the judicial and regulatory system for the $7 billion bailout deal, sought details regarding programme implementation and property rights in a meeting with the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi on Tuesday.

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.

While speaking to journalists after the meeting, CJP Yahya Afridi said that the a six-member team had sought details regarding the programme’s implementation and property rights.

“I told the IMF that it has come to Pakistan at the best time,” he said, adding that the judges told the team about judicial reforms and the National Judicial Policy.

CJP Afridi also said, “We have asked both the government and the opposition for an agenda for judicial reforms.”

Additionally, CJP Afridi highlighted that the team also made “suggestions regarding the protection of property rights”.

“I also talked about the National Judicial Policy-Making Committee — I told the delegation that we will make suggestions, we will create benches for early hearing in the high courts,” he stated. “I told the delegation that what they’re saying should be bilateral.”

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’ job to “disclose all the details”, underscoring that they had taken “an oath of independence of the judiciary under the Constitution”.

“I 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,” he added.

Pakistan made a commitment with the IMF in October to strengthen institutional capacities to fight corruption, support inclusive growth, and provide a level playing field for businesses and investments.