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Business Recorder
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- 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
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
