Islamabad, July 15: The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has reported that judicial corruption in Pakistan has reached systemic levels, posing a significant risk of widespread corruption.
The organization warns that the country’s judicial system is under constant threat from political interference and institutional capture. These findings are detailed in their report titled “Under the Bench: Mapping Corruption Risk in Pakistan’s Justice System.”
According to the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, the report highlights that corruption within the judiciary severely impacts human rights. It undermines the right to fair trials and equality before the law, disproportionately affecting the poor and minority communities.
The report states that pressure on Pakistan’s judiciary and democratic institutions has been increasing over the past several years. These institutions have been gradually weakened and brought under executive influence.
It further notes, “Fundamental rights and freedoms have been severely curtailed. The situation has worsened due to repressive laws and human rights violations. In this environment, the judiciary has begun to be used as a tool to silence activists and government critics.”
The FIDH report is based on interviews with 30 individuals connected to Pakistan’s judiciary, including four women. Interviewees included lawyers, former and retired judges, journalists, and representatives from civil society organizations.
Dawn reports that the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments have negatively impacted the independence of the judiciary and the right to fair hearings.
The report describes these changes as a “regressive step” in Pakistan’s legal and constitutional framework, as they have further weakened the judiciary’s already limited independence. It highlights that political influence has increased in the appointment of judges, formation of benches, and the hearing of significant cases, contradicting international standards for judicial independence.
The report concludes that corruption has deeply permeated Pakistan’s entire judicial system, weakening its independence and effectiveness. This hampers the protection of the right to fair hearings and individuals’ basic freedoms.
FIDH identifies three main factors contributing to this corruption: first, weak administration at every level of the judicial system, which fosters bribery and corrupt practices; second, social traditions that promote favoritism and nepotism; and third, the diminishing independence of the judiciary, which has led to state influence and control even in higher courts.
The report also notes that accountability institutions have increasingly come under political influence, being used to target political opponents rather than combat corruption.
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