Chief Justice Yahya Afridi Meets Turkish and Iranian Envoys to Boost Judicial Cooperation

In a significant step toward strengthening judicial diplomacy, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi held separate meetings with the Ambassadors of Turkey and Iran at the Supreme Court in Islamabad on Monday.

According to the official statement from the Supreme Court, Justice Afridi welcomed both ambassadors, highlighting the enduring cultural, historical, and fraternal ties that Pakistan shares with Turkey and Iran.

Pakistan-Turkey Judicial Relations: Expanding Collaboration

During his meeting with Turkish Ambassador Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, the Chief Justice expressed appreciation for the robust judicial engagement between Pakistan and Turkey. He praised the ongoing judicial exchange programs with the Shariah Academy, calling them an effective model of cross-border legal learning.

Justice Afridi proposed expanding the scope of these programs to the district judiciary, allowing junior judicial officers to gain insights from Turkey’s expertise in court administration, legal digitization, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in justice delivery.

Ambassador Neziroglu conveyed greetings from the Chairman of Turkey’s Constitutional Court, reaffirming Ankara’s strong commitment to advancing bilateral judicial cooperation and institutional development.

Iran-Pakistan Legal Ties: A Vision for the Future

In a separate meeting, Iranian Ambassador Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam on behalf of the Chief Justice of Iran extended congratulations to Justice Afridi, while formally inviting him to visit Iran. He also informed that Iran’s Chief Justice is planning an official visit to Pakistan in the near future.

Justice Afridi welcomed the planned exchanges and emphasized that such high-level visits would promote deeper legal collaboration between the two countries. He particularly highlighted the need to explore cooperation in digital judicial reform and AI-based legal tools, noting their relevance in modernizing justice systems.

Strengthening Regional Legal Partnerships

Both meetings concluded with the exchange of commemorative gifts, reflecting mutual respect and the shared ambition to enhance regional judicial cooperation. Justice Afridi noted that stronger judicial ties with Turkey and Iran would not only strengthen legal institutions but also foster peace, understanding, and innovation in the justice sector.

The engagements marked an important diplomatic milestone in Pakistan’s pursuit of regional legal partnerships, focused on transparency, technology integration, and capacity-building for a more efficient judiciary.