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Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
LJCP reaffirms commitment to equitable justice system
ISLAMABAD: The Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) reaffirmed its commitment to realising an accessible and equitable justice system for all citizens. The LJCP meeting, held at the Supreme Court on Monday was chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan/ Chairman, LJCP Yahya Afridi. It emphasised the commission's unwavering dedication to judicial excellence and the establishment of a fair and just society in Pakistan. The commission reviewed the implementation status of its previous decisions taken in the 44th meeting, particularly the progress made by the Advisory Committee for law reforms comprising secretary Ministry of Law and Justice and eminent lawyers. The committee acknowledged the need and significance of reforms in family laws and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. The commission applauded the commendable job done by the committee and hoped that in consultation with relevant stakeholders the committee will suggest viable recommendations for improving the service delivery of justice system with regard to family dispute and criminal matters. The commission approved the Annual Accounts of the Access to Justice Development Fund for FY 2024-25, and constituted a Committee to review the LJCP Employees Service Rules of 1992 and suggest reforms to enhance administrative efficiency and enable performance management. Meanwhile, the Governing Body meeting of the Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF) on Monday was held at the Supreme Court under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Pakistan/ Chairman, LJCP. The governing body extended its deepest gratitude to the federal government for a grant of Rs2 billion to the fund. This landmark contribution will be utilised for advancing women-centric facilities in courts, solarisation of judicial complexes, provision of clean drinking water and establishment of e-libraries in courts across the country with special focus on underdeveloped and remote districts, ensuring broader access and inclusivity. In a unanimous decision, the forum verified annual accounts of the Fund for the year 2024-25 and approved significant projects and financial allocations aimed at strengthening justice sector across the country by focusing litigant's facilities. The governing body approved projects of the High Court of Sindh and High Court of Balochistan amounting to Rs631.579 million, with emphasis on establishing Women-centric facilities within court premises. This will provide a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment for female litigants. Approval was granted for projects of the Sindh, Lahore, Balochistan, and Peshawar High Courts under the Underdeveloped Regions (UDR) Window amounting to Rs317 million. These projects include the solarisation of courts to ensure uninterrupted power supply and the establishment of modern e-libraries in remote and underdeveloped districts. The governing body also sanctioned various training programmes for the federal and provincial judicial academies. In addition, standard operating procedures (SOPs) were approved to streamline the provision of free legal aid to deserving litigants, particularly for cases pending before the Supreme Court and High Courts. The forum approved proposed amendments to the AJDF Rules aimed at broadening the scope of the Judicial and Research Window and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the Fund. The chair appreciated the valuable input of the participants and reaffirmed the commitment of the judiciary to ensure that the resources of the fund are utilised for sustainable, inclusive, and accessible justice delivery across the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
CJP stresses cooperation between bench and bar
KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi on Tuesday reaffirmed the essential partnership between the Bench and the Bar, describing it as the foundation of the country's justice system. He made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) at the Supreme Court Branch Registry in Karachi. Justice Afridi was accompanied by Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Justice Junaid Ghaffar. The SHCBA delegation was led by its President Barrister Muhammad Sarfraz Ali Metlo, and included Vice President Muhammad Rahib Lakho, Honorary Secretary Mirza Sarfraz Ahmed, and several other members of the managing committee, as well as, former SHCBA President Rehan Aziz Malik. Welcoming the delegation, Justice Afridi stressed that the delivery of justice cannot be achieved in isolation and depends on the strength of cooperation between the judiciary and the legal fraternity. He reiterated that no external pressure or influence would be allowed to undermine this relationship, which he described as vital and non-negotiable. The Chief Justice briefed the delegation on the reform agenda currently under way under the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), highlighting measures aimed at the welfare and empowerment of lawyers. He emphasised that the reforms were designed through a consultative process with active input from the Bar, reflecting a shared vision for strengthening the justice sector. Among the initiatives discussed was solarisation of bar premises, establishment of e-libraries to facilitate lawyers in remote areas, and integration of technology to enhance institutional capacity. Justice Afridi also outlined key decisions taken in recent meetings of the LJCP and the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC), both of which he chairs. He spoke of efforts to address the issue of enforced disappearances through the creation of a dedicated committee, as well as directives issued to High Courts to safeguard judges from undue external influences. He detailed structural reforms such as the establishment of Commercial Litigation Corridors and Model Criminal Trial Courts to ensure swift adjudication, and the setting of timelines for the disposal of thirteen categories of cases. Other reforms included piloting a Double-Docket Court Regime to address backlog, institutionalizing court-annexed mediation, and launching a Professional Excellence Index to assess and improve judicial performance. Additionally, the NJPMC has formed a committee to standardize recruitment, training, and service conditions within the district judiciary. In response, Barrister Metlo thanked the Chief Justice for the reforms and acknowledged the inclusion of the legal community in policy-making processes. He presented the challenges faced by the Bar and proposed the establishment of Model Civil Courts to address the oldest pending civil cases, which he said continue to burden litigants and courts alike. Justice Afridi appreciated the proposal and assured the delegation that it would be considered seriously by the relevant forums. The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to enhance judicial transparency, efficiency, and public trust in the legal system, underlining the indispensable role of both the Bench and the Bar in ensuring justice for all. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-08-2025
- 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
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
State-funded legal aid for poor launched
Judicial matters: Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi chairs a meeting of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan in Quetta. Photo: APP Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi said on Monday that a new initiative had been launched to provide assistance to poor litigants to hire legal representation at all levels of the judiciary at the state expense in order to ensure equitable access to justice for all citizens. Chairing a meeting of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) at the Supreme Court Branch Registry in Quetta, he said that a senior representative would be posted in the high courts to liaise with district bar associations and supervise the ongoing justice sector initiatives at the grassroots level. The LJCP meeting was held to review the institutional linkages between the bar associations in Balochistan and the LJCP with a view to strengthening justice delivery, said a press release issued here. During the meeting, the chief justice announced that under the auspices of the LJCP, a new initiative had been launched to provide assistance to poor litigants to hire legal representation, at the state expense, at all levels of the judiciary – from magistrate courts to the Supreme Court. Remuneration of up to Rs50,000 would be given through the District Legal Empowerment Committees, the press release said, adding that the bars might nominate qualified lawyers to the district judges, the high courts, and the Supreme Court in this regard. He also said that the LJCP had decided to post a senior level representative in every province, who would sit in the high courts. These representatives would maintain liaison to raise awareness among district bar associations and identify local priority areas and supervise initiatives at the grassroots level. On the occasion, Chief Justice Afridi urged bar representatives to sensitise their respective bar associations and proactively engage in judicial reform initiatives. He directed that the facilities extended to the bars by the government must be structured to ensure better cost for the money spent.
Business Recorder
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CJP for timely and effective utilisation of funds released to HCs
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) underscored the need for timely and effective utilisation of the funds released to respective High Courts. CJP Yahya Afridi, who is also the chairman Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), on Thursday, chaired 19th meeting of the Governing Body, Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF) in the Conference Room of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The CJs of all High Courts, secretary Ministry of Law and Justice, additional Secretary Finance Division and Secretary Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan attended the meeting. Justice Yahya appreciated the role of funds in capacity building and infrastructural development of the district judiciary throughout Pakistan. The Governing Body approved the suggestion floated by the High Courts for utilisation of the funds under Underdeveloped Regions (UDR) window exclusively for solarisation of courts and establishment of e-libraries for one year in the underdeveloped districts of the country. In addition, the projects of Lahore High Court for provision of missing facilities to female judicial officers and litigants in district courts were also approved. The apex body also approved mechanism for smooth and timely completion of projects funded from AJDF. The Governing Body approved the recommendations of the Technical Evaluation Committee, AJDF regarding projects undertaken through Legal Empowerment, Judicial and Legal Research and Legal Innovation Windows for timely completion. After deliberations, the apex body extended the purview of Free Legal Aid Committees to the High Courts by enhancing the lawyers' professional fee along with increase in funding limit to these Committees. Annual accounts and funds allocation for FY 2023-24 and budget for FY 2025-26 were also approved. Earlier, Syeda Tanzeela Sabahat, Secretary LJCP gave a brief overview of AJDF, its mandate and overall performance with regard to funds released under various AJDF windows specifically for infrastructure development and projects executed in Underdeveloped Regions to bring them at par with other areas of the country. She also updated about the provision of free legal aid to deserving litigants under District Legal Empowerment Committees (DLECs), provision of litigant-oriented conveniences and amenities, projects completed and trainings of justice sector stakeholders through Judicial Academies. Meanwhile, the CJP also presided over the 44th meeting of LJCP. He apprised the participants of a significant shift in the composition of the LJCP. He emphasised the need for regular meetings, wider publicity of the LJCP's mandate to solicit law reform proposals, and augmentation of research capabilities by engaging research associate alongside the existing team of researchers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
