Latest news with #EmpowermentCommittees
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Enhancing legal aid access
EDITORIAL: In a significant move, the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), under the leadership of Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, has announced its decision to expand the free legal aid facility across all levels of the judiciary – a service previously available only within the lower judiciary. An essential element of this initiative is a fundamental right it offers to underprivileged individuals, particularly those who have been languishing in jails for extended periods due to their inability to afford legal representation. In many instances, individuals are either wrongfully accused of crimes they cannot afford to defend themselves against or are trapped in prolonged legal battles. As a result, a large number of people in such circumstances are denied meaningful access to justice. While this initiative is a step in the right direction, a key concern remains the quality of legal representation. Although legal aid guarantees the opportunity for representation to members of the disadvantaged sections of society, it does not necessarily ensure access to experienced and competent lawyers. In many cases, individuals who receive free legal assistance may be represented by lawyers with limited experience. These lawyers, although appointed to District Legal Empowerment Committees supported by the IJCP through the 'Access to Justice Development Fund' (which covers lawyers' fees, court charges, copying costs, process fees, and other expenses), may lack the expertise required for a given field of law. This situation becomes particularly problematic in cases that demand specialized knowledge of the law. The result of inadequate legal representation could be wrongful convictions, disproportionate sentences, or even the irreversible consequence of a death sentence in the case of criminal trials. Therefore, it is critical not only to ensure that indigent litigants have access to the legal process, but also the quality of legal representation they receive. The system must ensure that those, who can least afford it, do not have their chances of a fair trial compromised by subpar representation. To effectively address this issue, it is important that legal aid lawyers are well-trained and adequately resourced. This could include offering specialised training programmes for public defenders to build their capacity and expertise, particularly in areas where the need for skilled legal support is the greatest. In addition, while the financial assistance for each litigant has been modestly increased from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000, it is insufficient to attract good lawyers. It would be beneficial to improve the quality of pro bono work by fostering partnerships between the government, law schools, and non-profit organizations. Legal aid can best serve its purpose if it ensures that individuals, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, are not just represented in court, but represented well. In this regard, improving both access and quality will be essential for the success of LJCP's initiative. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Excise minister takes part in ‘Mini Mahanadu'
Pedana (Krishna district): Minister for Mines, Geology, and Excise Kollu Ravindra asserted on Monday that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) stands as the only party globally to boast a record-breaking one crore (10 million) members. He made these remarks during a 'Mini Mahanadu' celebration held at the TDP office in Pedana, where he was joined by local MLA Kagita Krishnaprasad and APSRTC chairman Konakalla Narayana Rao. Minister Ravindra emphasised that this 'Mini Mahanadu' was distinct and more significant than all previous Mahanadu celebrations. He attributed the party's enduring strength over 42 years to the organisational structure initiated by Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. He highlighted the TDP's achievement of being the 'only party in the world with one crore members,' and stressed the need for another round of organisational restructuring with the same spirit. Ravindra underscored the crucial role of Family Empowerment Committees (Kutumba Sadhikara Samithulu), stating their importance was clearly understood in the recent elections. He acknowledged that even after the party's defeat in the 2019 elections, the unforgettable struggle waged by these committees at the grassroots level was instrumental. Their services, from election campaigns to disseminating party promises among the public, made the elections remarkably easy, he added. 'If we follow the same approach now and complete the appointment of Family Empowerment Committees in a timely manner, we will have the opportunity to transform the Telugu Desam Party into an unshakeable force for the next four to five decades,' Minister Ravindra declared. Now in power, the TDP government has initiated welfare and development programmes on an unprecedented scale, Ravindra said. He urged for the swift appointment of Family Empowerment Committees to ensure a '100 per cent success rate in the upcoming local body elections.' Minister Ravindra concluded by issuing a stern warning, alleging that the opposition is 'accusing the government out of desperation' as the 'Jagan Reddy liquor scam has been completely exposed.' He vowed that 'no matter how many conspiracies they hatch, or how many atrocities they commit, we will expose their entire scam in the public domain.'
