SCBAP President represents Pakistan at prestigious Legal Forum in China

Islamabad: Muhammad Rauf Atta, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP), is currently visiting China at the invitation of the China National Institute of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (CNISCO) to participate in the 9th China–South Asia Legal Training Program, hosted at Shanghai University.

This high-profile event brings together legal experts and representatives from a diverse range of countries to promote legal cooperation, regional integration, and the exchange of judicial expertise across South and Central Asia, an official statement said on Friday afternoon.

Besides Pakistan, the program has drawn participation from legal professionals and scholars representing India, Russia, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Bhutan, and other countries.

The gathering is a vital platform under the broader framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which aims to strengthen mutual trust, legal collaboration, and people-to-people connectivity among its member and observer states.

The opening ceremony of the conference was held at Shanghai University, where Mr. Rauf Atta was the second speaker to address the delegates, following an inaugural speech by a distinguished legal expert from Russia. The session was chaired by Mr. Jing Han Chao, President of the China Law Society (CLS), a premier body overseeing legal development and international engagement in China.

In his keynote address, Mr. Atta conveyed his gratitude and honor for representing Pakistan’s legal fraternity at an event of such global importance. He underlined the significance of legal dialogue across borders, especially in a time when the rule of law is increasingly tested by political, economic, and technological disruptions.

Mr. Atta stressed the need for international legal cooperation to be rooted in mutual respect, non-discrimination, and universal principles. He advocated for the independence of the judiciary, the right to a fair trial, and the fundamental freedoms of expression and association as pillars of a just legal system. Drawing upon international legal instruments, he called for the consistent application of these principles across all jurisdictions.

Echoing his sentiments, Mr. Jing Han Chao emphasized that the rule of law should be impartial and inclusive, transcending national boundaries and respecting diverse traditions and beliefs. He highlighted the importance of judicial independence, constitutional governance, and human rights protection as essential components of peaceful and prosperous societies.

He also recognized the need for timely and effective justice delivery, stressing that access to justice builds public trust in legal institutions and strengthens the overall legal architecture. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he remarked, adding that commitment to the fair administration of justice must be uniform worldwide.

The Chinese law society president also underscored the enduring and deep-rooted ties between China and Pakistan. Referring to the two countries as “iron brothers,” Mr. Chao lauded their strategic cooperation and solidarity in all testing times. He expressed appreciation for the support extended by the Pakistani people and government and reaffirmed Beijing’s unwavering friendship with Islamabad. He concluded his address by extending his best wishes for the successful completion of the training program and fruitful deliberations among the participants.