The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with support from the European Union, held two training workshops on judicial ethics and integrity in Quetta as part of the ongoing Deliver Justice Project. The sessions were attended by 29 judges, including five female judges, from more than 20 districts of Balochistan.
The workshops focused on promoting ethical decision-making, addressing conflicts of interest, and strengthening principles of judicial independence, impartiality, and accountability. The training content was based on the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and was adapted to the local challenges faced by the judiciary in Balochistan.
Judges participated in interactive sessions, case studies, and scenario-based exercises. The sessions included discussions on digital behavior, unconscious bias, gender sensitivity in courtrooms, and the responsible use of social media. Participants were encouraged to reflect on how public trust and perception are linked to judicial behavior.
One of the participants noted that the training served as a reminder that judicial integrity goes beyond legal knowledge and includes leadership, fairness, and setting an example for society.
Ms. Una Kelly, First Secretary for Rule of Law at the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, addressed the participants during one of the sessions. She said that judicial integrity is central to the rule of law and that the European Union is committed to supporting efforts that improve transparency and accountability in Pakistan’s justice system.
These workshops are part of a wider effort by UNODC and the European Union to improve institutional performance within Pakistan’s justice sector. By engaging directly with judges in Balochistan, the project aims to encourage ethical leadership and strengthen the justice system’s ability to meet the needs of the public.
