VERDICT: Can Judicial Reform Fix Pakistan’s Economy? | Asad Rahim Khan x Dr. Nadeem ul Haque

Pakistan’s economy is shaped not just by markets, but by institutions — and few institutions matter more than the judiciary. But is Pakistan’s judicial system strengthening economic confidence, or undermining it?

In this episode of Haque Economics, Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, Director of SIA – Socioeconomic Insights & Analysis, is joined by Asad Rahim Khan, a Pakistani lawyer and public policy commentator, for a frank and wide-ranging discussion on judicial reform in Pakistan and its impact on governance, investment, and economic growth.

The conversation examines:

Judicial independence and constitutional balance
How judges are appointed and promoted in Pakistan
The role of the Judicial Commission and Bar Councils
Merit vs seniority in judicial appointments
Transparency, accountability, and performance evaluation of judges
How judicial decisions affect investor confidence and GDP
Why institutional reform is critical for Pakistan’s long-term economic stability
The role of civil society in pushing legal and governance reform

This episode connects law, economics, and governance, offering reform-oriented insights into why institutional quality matters for development and why judicial reform cannot be separated from economic outcomes.

Watch till the end for a discussion on judicial performance metrics and practical reform ideas that could improve efficiency, accountability, and public trust.

Speakers

Dr. Nadeem ul Haque is an economist and public policy expert, and the Director of SIA – Socioeconomic Insights & Analysis, a think tank focused on institutional reform, governance, and economic policy in Pakistan. He has previously served as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of Pakistan and Vice Chancellor of PIDE. Dr. Haque is widely recognized for his work on state capacity, institutions, governance reform, and economic growth.

Asad Rahim Khan is a Pakistani lawyer, columnist, and public policy commentator. He has served in advisory roles within the federal government and is known for his writing and analysis on constitutional law, judicial reform, civil liberties, and governance. Asad Rahim frequently bridges legal analysis with broader questions of institutional performance and economic outcomes in Pakistan.
__________________________________________________________________________

Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Why Judicial Reform Matters
08:49 Setting the Reform Agenda
12:40 Judiciary’s Independence in Pakistan
16:19 Appointment Challenges & Institutional Weaknesses
20:16 Can Merit-Based Appointments Work?
23:48 Governance, Philosophy & the Rule of Law
28:19 Regulation, Power & the Martial Law Legacy
31:58 Why Pakistan’s Legal System Needs Reform
35:19 Courts, Politics & No-Confidence Resolutions
39:56 Concrete Proposals for Judicial Reform
44:25 Improving Legal Efficiency & Case Outcomes
48:00 Proposal: Judicial Performance Rating System
52:58 Accountability, Transparency & Resistance
56:58 Civil Society & the Path Forward
__________________________________________________________________________


#HaqueEconomics
#NadeemUlHaque
#AsadRahimKhan
#SIAPakistan
#SocioeconomicInsightsAndAnalysis
#PakistanJudiciary
#JudicialReformPakistan
#JudicialIndependence
#RuleOfLawPakistan
#LegalReformPakistan
#GovernanceReform
#InstitutionalReform
#PakistanEconomy
#EconomicGrowthPakistan
#GDPPakistan
#InvestorConfidence
#PublicPolicyPakistan
#CivilSocietyPakistan
#Accountability
#Transparency
#MeritBasedAppointments