London: The Inns of Court in London have awarded British-Pakistani barrister Fahrid Chishty with a highly prestigious legal scholarship.
This is the first time in the program’s history that a Pegasus Scholar has been appointed to Pakistan, a momentous occasion.
Lord Goff of Chieveley created the Pegasus Scholarship in 1987, and it is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards at the English Bar. It is awarded annually to a select group of junior barristers considered to be the future leaders of the legal profession.
The grant enables scholars to travel abroad to observe the operation of the Common Law in different jurisdictions and to establish lasting relationships with foreign practitioners.
Fahrid told Geo News that he will travel to Pakistan later this year to collaborate with members of the legal community and judiciary on various criminal justice initiatives.
Fahrid stated that the issue of criminal justice reform is of particular interest to him, and he will have the opportunity to study and review a vast array of pertinent domestic procedural and statutory laws. This includes everything from the rules of evidence during the trial to the sentencing policy and procedure.
He will also discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI), case management technologies, and forensic evidence with his Pakistani counterparts in an effort to enhance mutual, bilateral learning between the legal professions of the two countries.
Fahrid was admitted to the Bar in 2019 and practises criminal, constitutional, regulatory, and international law from Libertas Chambers in London.
He stated that he was honoured and profoundly privileged to have been awarded this prize, and he is looking forward to the opportunity to learn from his Pakistani colleagues and elders.
He said: “Pakistan holds a special place in my heart. My maternal grandparents are from Serai Saleh, Hazara, and my paternal grandparents are from Lahore. As an English-trained barrister and judge, it would be a tremendous honour for him to be able to contribute to the country of his ancestors.”
Fahrid’s father Makhdoom Chishti was a Commander at New Scotland Yard for the Metropolitan Police Service and became the highest-ranking Muslim police officer in the United Kingdom. He received the Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2010 and the Sitar-i-Imitiaz from Pakistan’s president in 2018.
During the ‘war on terror,’ Makhdoom Chishti led Scotland Yard’s response against terrorism when London and the United Kingdom faced grave terror threats.
