Justice for all: Pakistan rolls out state-funded legal aid for poor litigant

Dubai: Pakistan has rolled out government-funded legal aid for the poor across the country.

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi recently unveiled a major initiative aimed at providing free legal representation to underprivileged litigants.

The program, spearheaded by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), is designed to be implemented at all judicial levels, from magistrate courts to the Supreme Court.

Under the scheme, lawyers representing financially disadvantaged individuals will be eligible to receive up to Rs50,000 in remuneration. This payment will be disbursed through the District Legal Empowerment Committees, aiming to uphold equitable access to justice regardless of financial status.

The initiative was formally announced during a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Justice at the Supreme Court Branch Registry in Quetta. The gathering reviewed collaborative efforts between the LJCP and bar associations in Balochistan to strengthen justice delivery mechanisms.

Lack of coordination

Chief Justice Afridi highlighted insights from his recent visits to remote districts, where he observed a lack of coordination between local bar associations and the LJCP, leading to underutilised funds and limited impact at the grass roots level.

To address this, the LJCP will appoint senior representatives in each province, stationed at respective high courts. These officials will serve as key liaisons to engage with district bar associations, identify local needs, raise awareness, and oversee the implementation of justice sector reforms.

Bar associations

Bar associations have also been invited to submit development proposals to District Development Committees, while federal and provincial development departments have been engaged to ensure swift execution and avoid duplication of resources.

The Chief Justice urged bar representatives to promote participation in Continuing Legal Education programs offered by the Federal Judicial Academy.

Support for legal comunity

During the meeting, Balochistan High Court Bar Association President Attaullah Khan Langov shared updates on recent support provided to the province’s legal community.

These include 100 scooters for female lawyers, a digital library at the High Court Bar, shuttle services connecting courts in Quetta, a 100-acre housing scheme for high court lawyers, and grant-in-aid funding for 28 district bar associations.

Federal and provincial stakeholders present at the meeting pledged full support in achieving the shared goal of accessible, inclusive, and efficient justice for all.