Strengthening Justice Delivery in Balochistan Province

Strategic Insights -

Justice Yahya Afridi, Chief Justice of Pakistan, and Chairman of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), has emphasized the need for proactive engagement of bar associations in judicial reform initiatives. He called upon provincial law departments to remain actively engaged with the LJCP for the timely and effective implementation of district-level projects. The Chief Justice noted the lack of infrastructure in less developed districts, including inconsistent power supply and digital integration, and stressed the need for targeted interventions in these areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Chief Justice urged bar representatives to sensitize their respective bar associations about ongoing developments and to proactively engage in judicial reform initiatives.
  • All support and facilities extended to the bar associations by the federal government must be streamlined and structured to avoid duplication and ensure better cost for money spent.
  • The LJCP has decided to post a senior-level representative in every province to raise awareness among district bar associations and supervise ongoing justice sector initiatives at the grassroots level.
  • A new initiative has been launched to provide assistance to poor litigants to hire legal representation at State expense, at all levels of the judiciary, from Magistrate courts to the Supreme Court.
  • The initiative aims to ensure equitable access to justice for all citizens with a remuneration of up to Rs50,000 provided through District Legal Empowerment Committees.
  • The Chief Justice encouraged bar representatives to promote professional development through Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs offered by the Federal Judicial Academy.
  • The bars were instructed to appoint focal persons for liaison with the Federal Judicial Academy for training programs.
  • The LJCP has decided to share the training calendar with bar associations to promote professional development.
  • Provincial law departments were assured of the LJCP's support in advancing the shared objective of accessible and efficient justice.
  • Various facilities have been extended by the provincial government of Balochistan to the bar associations, including 100 scooters for female lawyers, digital libraries, and housing schemes.

Statistics:

  • Up to Rs50,000 will be provided as remuneration to poor litigants for hiring legal representation through District Legal Empowerment Committees.
  • 100 scooters have been provided to female lawyers by the provincial government of Balochistan.
  • 100 acres of housing scheme has been allocated for lawyers of the High Court of Balochistan.
  • 28 districts bars of Balochistan and the High Court Bar Association have been granted in aid by the federal government.
  • The LJCP has decided to post senior-level representatives in every province to supervise ongoing justice sector initiatives.

Sources:

  • "CJP Urges Bar Associations to Play Proactive Role in Judicial Reform" (Pakistan Daily)
  • Press Release by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (No Date)
  • "Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan to Post Representatives in Every Province" (Dawn News)
  • "CJP Announces New Initiative to Provide Assistance to Poor Litigants" (The Express Tribune)
  • "Balochistan Government Extends Facilities to Bar Associations" (Geo News)