CJP discusses property rights, foreign investment security with IMF delegation

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi met with a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). After the meeting, he spoke to the media and shed light on the meeting, on the letter by former chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and the National Judicial Policy making committee.

Chief Justice Afridi said that he told the IMF delegation, “We have taken an oath of independence of the judiciary under the constitution. I told the delegation that it is not our job to tell you all the details.”

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He said that he also apprised the delegation on the agenda of the National Judicial Policy making committee. “I told the delegation that the subordinate judiciary is supervised by the High Courts.”

The chief justice said that the IMF delegation wanted to know about the observance of agreements and property rights, to which he informed them that there are reforms being done on that.

“I told the IMF delegation that you have come at the appropriate time. The delegation was informed about judicial reforms and national judicial policy,” CJP Afridi said.

The chief justice told media that the IMF delegation also gave suggestions regarding the protection of property rights.

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“The IMF delegation was interested in whether foreign investment would be safe or not. I told them that we are working on it,” the chief justice said, adding that he told the IMF delegation that their help will be needed in this regard as well.

Speaking on the political side of things, Chief Justice Afridi said, “Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has also written a letter to me. I sent a reply through the Attorney General. I sent a message to the Prime Minister that I will not respond to his letter.”

The chief justice added that he has also contacted the opposition leader and has invited the PM and the opposition leader to the Supreme Court. “Don’t expect us to get all the answers in a single meeting,” CJP Afridi said.

He added that Imran Khan’s demands from the judiciary are related to clause 3 of Article 184. “I asked the committee to review this letter and decide.” He informed the media that Imran Khan’s letter has been sent to the Judges’ Constitutional Committee. “They will decide,” the chief justice said, adding, “This matter comes under clause 3 of Article 184, it has to be seen by the constitutional bench.”

Responding to a question about the steps being taken to end the differences in the judiciary, the chief justice said, “Some matters of the judges who wrote the letter are still going on. It will take time for them to be resolved. All old matters will gradually be resolved.”

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Speaking on the judicial appointments, CJP Afridi said that Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb will also be considered for the post of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice. “I told the judges to let the system work. Do not stop the system. I said let me bring the judges. I am in favor of bringing Justice Aurangzeb to the Supreme Court.”

CJP added, “My fellow judges who used to handle corporate cases are not even hearing cases today.”