Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yayha Afridi has reaffirmed commitment to international judicial cooperation at the 14th St. Petersburg international legal forum. The Chief Justice of Pakistan led the Pakistani delegation to the 14th St. Petersburg International Legal Forum (SPILF), held from 24-26 June 2026 in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, where he engaged with judicial leaders from across the world to strengthen international judicial cooperation and promote Pakistan’s ongoing judicial reform agenda. Besides the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Pakistani delegation comprised the Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan and the Ambassador of Pakistan to the Russian Federation.
Bilateral Engagements and Cooperation Framework
On the sidelines of the Forum, the Chief Justice of Pakistan held a series of bilateral engagements with heads of foreign judiciaries to enhance institutional collaboration and expand judicial dialogue. A key engagement was held with representatives of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, that focused on establishing a framework for bilateral judicial cooperation. The proposed collaboration encompasses judicial exchanges, professional and judicial education, legal research, court administration, digital transformation, and the sharing of best practices.
Showcasing Pakistan’s Judicial Reforms
The Forum also provided an opportunity to showcase Pakistan’s ongoing judicial reform initiatives, including advancements in court digitalization, responsible adoption of emerging technologies, institutional strengthening, and measures aimed at improving access to justice. These engagements facilitated a meaningful exchange of experiences on contemporary challenges confronting justice systems and reinforced Pakistan’s commitment to learning from international best practices.
Plenary Session and Global Engagement
The opening day concluded with the Plenary Session, where the Pakistani delegation interacted with judicial leaders, policymakers, legal scholars, and practitioners from numerous jurisdictions, further strengthening Pakistan’s engagement with the global legal community. The delegation’s participation reaffirmed the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s commitment to judicial diplomacy, international cooperation, and the promotion of an independent, efficient, accessible, and technology-enabled justice system through sustained collaboration with partner judiciaries.
