Pakistan has taken strong exception to the gratuitous and unwarranted comments made in a report by the US Department of State regarding Pakistan's judicial system.

Responding to the queries of media persons, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said the judiciary in Pakistan is independent and the Courts are functioning in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the country. The allegations to the contrary are firmly denied as factually incorrect and misleading.

The spokesperson said as a vibrant democracy, the government of Pakistan firmly believes in the separation of powers between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of the state. There is no question of any coercion or pressure on Pakistan’s judiciary. He said the baseless assertions made in the report are contradicted by innumerable decisions by Pakistani courts at all levels that meet the highest standards of judicial independence.

The spokesperson said the US report acknowledges the progress made and reforms undertaken by Pakistan in improving its business and investment climate, despite extremely difficult circumstances due to the Pandemic, it speculates on alleged shortcomings in Pakistan’s regulatory framework and bases its conclusions on unverifiable sources.

Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of economy, trade and investment with the international community including the US is one of the key priorities of the Government of Pakistan. He said we will continue to take steps to optimally realize Pakistan’s geo-economic potential.