Top judge stresses legal aid for all

ISLAMABAD:

"No deserving litigant should go unrepresented, and every citizen regardless of financial means must have access to legal advice and assistance," Chief Justice Yahya Afridi said on Monday.

The top judge made these remarks while chairing the 47th meeting of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan at the Supreme Court.

The commission deliberated on a range of proposals aimed at advancing law reform in line with constitutional requirements and contemporary societal needs.

It tasked the LJCP Secretariat with developing a comprehensive framework for a free legal aid and advisory mechanism to expand access to justice for marginalized segments of society.

The proposed framework will include systemic arrangements in collaboration with the High Courts and bar regulatory bodies.

It will also explore modalities for institutionalising pro bono commitments and utilising funding from the relevant window of the Access to Justice Development Fund to support the initiative.

Under its statutory mandate to recommend reforms for improving the justice system, the commission conducted a comprehensive review of key reform initiatives, including family laws, amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, and procedural reforms for e-filing of cases, as well as other areas requiring legislative modernisation.