I believe that without adequate legal aid there can be no fair trial, respect for rule of law.
ISLAMABAD: Unfortunately, we live in a society characterised by lawlessness, mercilessness, senselessness, no sense of justice and just about the entire system seems to have collapsed. In such a sordid state of affairs in the society, the need for legal assistance by an able counsel is as pertinent today as it was in the past. Like other proponents of the rule of law, I believe that without adequate legal aid there can be no fair trial, no functioning criminal justice system and no respect for the rule of law. Without adequate legal aid an accused person can be unlawfully arrested and detained, coerced into admitting to a crime he did not commit and so on.
The key stakeholders of the administration of justice system and the relevant legal, judicial, human rights bodies and NGOs must reflect upon this and undertake initiatives which ensure legal aid to those who need it.
Hashim Abro
Published in The Express Tribune, August 16th, 2014.
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