ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has been appointed as an honorary bencher of the Society of the Inner Temple, London — one of the four historic Inns of Court in the United Kingdom.
Barrister Saira Kabir Sheikh, King’s Counsel at Francis Taylor Building Chambers, London, called on Justice Afridi on Monday at the Supreme Court to formally convey his appointment. During the meeting, Barrister Sheikh conveyed her congratulations to the CJP on the honour and noted that this development would help deepen existing links between the Inner Temple and Pakistan’s legal and judicial community.
The meeting was attended by the Supreme Court Bar Association president and general secretary, the SC director general (reforms) and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan secretary.
The discussion also covered areas of mutual interest, including judicial education, professional training of lawyers and judges, continuing legal education programmes, and opportunities for structured institutional cooperation.
Both the sides noted the importance of such exchanges in strengthening legal capacity and supporting the development of best practices within the justice system. On the occasion, the chief justice appreciated the role of the Inner Temple in maintaining high standards of legal education and in facilitating engagement between legal professionals across jurisdictions.
He also highlighted the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s interest in fortifying institutional collaboration with leading legal bodies abroad, particularly in areas related to training, knowledge exchange and reform-oriented initiatives. Meanwhile, Fouzia Viqar, Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace, also called on the CJP, according to a press release issued here.
During the meeting, matters relating to gender-responsive justice, workplace dignity and institutional mechanisms for protection against harassment were discussed. The ombudsperson briefed Justice Afridi on the role and mandate of her office in ensuring safer and more inclusive working environments across public and private sector institutions.
The discussion also focused on strengthening institutional coordination for the effective implementation of laws relating to workplace harassment, promoting awareness of legal remedies available to victims, and fostering greater institutional responsiveness towards vulnerable and marginalised segments of society.
The chief justice reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to the constitutional values of equality, dignity and non-discrimination, while emphasising the importance of safe, respectful and inclusive professional environments within institutions.
Viqar appreciated the judiciary’s reform-oriented initiatives and its continued engagement on issues relating to gender-sensitive justice and institutional inclusivity.
