Islamabad, 9 July 2026: The European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched Pakistan’s first Rule of Law Forum in Islamabad under the EU funded Deliver Justice Project.
The forum brought together representatives from the judiciary, government institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector, development partners, activists and policy experts to discuss emerging trends, challenges and opportunities shaping people centered justice in Pakistan.
This year’s themes included climate justice, commercial justice and the transformational role of artificial intelligence in the justice sector.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan attended as chief guest and said justice must evolve with the needs of the people it serves. He said the Supreme Court is pursuing transformative reforms to strengthen institutional resilience, build public confidence and place people at the center of justice.
The opening panel, titled No Justice without Climate Justice, was moderated by Ms. Shahzada Ahmad, Programme Manager, Rule of Law Programme, UNDP Pakistan. It examined Pakistan’s climate litigation journey, with panelists Barrister Zunaira Fayyaz, Climate Governance and Policy Advisor; Ms. Sibah Farooq, Climate Justice Attorney; and Ms. Granaz Hoath, Psychologist and Climate Change Activist from Balochistan, discussing climate accountability and environmental rights.
The forum then moved to a high level roundtable on commercial justice and sustainable economic growth, chaired by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan. The session also reflected the importance of commercial justice as Pakistan continues reforms aligned with the European Union’s GSP+ framework.
Dr. Sébastien Lorion, Acting Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the EU to Pakistan, said the forum was the final event of the fully EU financed Deliver Justice Project, which began more than five years ago. He said the issues discussed affect citizens’ daily lives and that future EU support would continue with justice institutions and civil society to strengthen a secure and people centered justice ecosystem.
The forum also considered the rise of AI in the justice sector, including the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s recent guidelines on responsible use. Moderated by Mr. Fasi Zaka, the discussion included Judge Muhammad Amir Munir, Director Instruction, Federal Judicial Academy; Ms. Bushra Saeed, Director IT Governance, Risk and Compliance, National Information Technology Board; Dr. Naveed Iftikhar, AI Strategist and Founder, atomcamp; and Mr. Jamal Aziz, Executive Director, Research Society of International Law. The panel discussed how AI can improve access to justice, judicial efficiency and decision making, while stressing ethical safeguards, transparency and human oversight.
Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan, said the forum is meant to ask difficult questions about how justice will be experienced in Pakistan in the years ahead. He said UNDP hopes it will become a shared space for justice institutions, activists and innovators working toward a more equal future, and thanked the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the European Union for their partnership.
