Islamabad (TDI): Senior officials from Balochistan’s criminal justice institutions have returned from a four-day study visit to Ireland, where they explored how coordination, accountability, and performance management can strengthen justice delivery across the province.
The visit, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Pakistan and facilitated by Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI), was made possible through funding from the European Union’s Deliver Justice Project.
The high-level delegation included senior representatives from the Balochistan High Court, Home Department, Police, Prosecution, Prisons, Reclamation and Probation, and Women Development Departments.
Over the course of the visit, delegates engaged with key Irish institutions, including An Garda Síochána (the national police service), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board, and the Irish Prison and Probation Services.
The program also included discussions at the Law Society of Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs, offering participants a holistic view of Ireland’s justice ecosystem.
Úna Kelly, First Secretary for the Rule of Law at the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, highlighted the parallels between the justice systems of Ireland and Pakistan.
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She noted that the visit exposed senior justice officials from Balochistan to core components of Ireland’s criminal justice chain, emphasizing the protection of human rights and the crucial role civil society plays in addressing crime and promoting safer communities.
Chief Justice Rozi Khan of the Balochistan High Court praised the initiative, stressing that international collaboration is vital to advancing justice reform. “This visit has provided valuable insight into how institutions can work together to deliver justice more effectively and transparently,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat, Additional Chief Secretary of the Balochistan Home Department, said the lessons learned from Ireland’s justice reforms could inspire meaningful change at home.
“In our pursuit of effective governance, we can draw valuable lessons from Ireland’s remarkable reforms in rule of law and criminal justice. As a common law country, Ireland’s experiences can inform our efforts to build a more effective and citizen-centric justice system in Balochistan,” he said.
The study visit underscored the importance of evidence-based policymaking, data-driven management, and strategic planning in building public trust in justice institutions.
It also demonstrated how global partnerships can translate shared values of fairness, accountability, and integrity into tangible improvements for communities.
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