ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Türkiye on Monday resolved to strengthen judicial cooperation, uphold the rule of law, and enhance institutional capacity through sustained and meaningful collaboration between their respective judiciaries. The Supreme Court (SC) hosted a high-level delegation from the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye, led by its President, Kadir Özkaya, accompanied by distinguished judges and senior officials. The delegation members, visiting Pakistan as state guests, were received by the chief justice of Pakistan at the Supreme Court.
A central highlight of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on judicial cooperation between the two judiciaries. The MoU was formally signed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, and Constitutional Court of Türkiye President Kadir Özkaya at a ceremony held here at the SC Auditorium.
The ceremony was attended by the chief justice and judges of the Federal Constitutional Court, the chief justices of all high courts of Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, federal minister for Law and Justice, the attorney general for Pakistan, senior government officials, members of the district judiciary, and representatives of the legal fraternity.
The MoU establishes a structured and forward-looking framework for cooperation, encompassing judicial exchange, capacity building, professional training, and the sharing of best practices in adjudication and judicial administration. A key focus of the collaboration is the professional development of the judiciary - particularly at the district level - through joint training programmes, academic exchanges, and exposure to comparative judicial systems.
The agreement also envisages enhanced cooperation in the adoption of modern technologies in judicial processes, including digitalisation and e-courts, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and access to justice.
Similarly, it further provides for joint research initiatives, exchange of legal knowledge and jurisprudence, and sustained institutional engagement through coordinated mechanisms, including the establishment of a Joint Working Group for effective implementation.
Earlier, welcoming the delegation, the chief justice of Pakistan underscored the significance of strengthening institutional linkages between the judiciaries of Pakistan and Türkiye. He noted that such engagements play a vital role in enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and transparency in the administration of justice.
In his remarks, President Kadir Özkaya expressed deep appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the delegation and stressed the importance of sustained judicial dialogue, knowledge exchange, and institutional collaboration between the two countries.
Meanwhile, as a symbolic gesture of enduring friendship and shared commitment, the delegation planted a sapling on premises of the Supreme Court, reflecting the strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, as well as their mutual commitment to sustainability and forward-looking institutional partnership.
