A new report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has accused Pakistan's judicial system of being deeply embedded with corruption, weakening judicial independence and undermining fundamental human rights. The report, titled Under the Bench: Mapping Corruption Risks in Pakistan's Justice System, was released on July 10, 2026, in Lahore.
Corruption Institutionalized at Multiple Levels
According to Dawn, the report argues that corruption has become institutionalized across various levels of the country's justice system, affecting fair trial guarantees, equality before the law, and public confidence in the judiciary. The findings are based on interviews with 30 lawyers, judges, journalists, academics, and civil society representatives. Corruption extends beyond financial misconduct to include favoritism, nepotism, political interference, and weaknesses in judicial administration.
These practices have eroded the judiciary's ability to function independently and increased the risk of state influence over superior courts. The study claims that judicial corruption in Pakistan may have reached the level of systemic or grand corruption.
Constitutional Amendments Weaken Judicial Autonomy
The report expresses concern over Pakistan's 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments, stating that these changes have further weakened judicial autonomy by reshaping judicial appointments and expanding the grounds for removing judges. The organizations contend that existing accountability mechanisms have failed to effectively investigate or deter corruption within the justice system.
Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Communities
According to the report, corruption has disproportionately affected vulnerable communities, including religious minorities, low-income groups, and women, by restricting access to justice and due process. It also links judicial shortcomings to broader concerns involving torture, capital punishment, and gender inequality within the legal profession.
HRCP Secretary General Harris Khalique stated that meaningful reform would require restoring judicial independence rather than relying on administrative measures alone, as highlighted by Dawn.
Recommendations for Reform
The report recommends repealing the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments, introducing transparent case allocation procedures, requiring judges to publicly declare their assets, livestreaming Supreme Court hearings on matters of public importance, and strengthening judicial accountability through independent oversight, as reported by Dawn.
