K & P

Helping hand: Dutch, UNDP to strengthen law, order in Malakand

Project aims at improving access to justice and legal aid.

News Desk October 10, 2012

The government of Netherlands has agreed to contribute $2 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s initiative to strengthen rule of law in Malakand Division, said a news release issued by UNDP.

The Dutch government and UNDP on Tuesday signed an agreement to finance the second phase of the project, titled “Strengthening Rule of Law”. The signing was attended by the ambassador of Netherlands HG Scheltema and UNDP Country Director Jean-Luc Stalon.

The first phase of the programme was financed by UNDP and designed in close consultation with the government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and other stakeholders. The project aims at improving access to justice and legal aid and addressing various critical issues in the justice system.

The second phase of the project will provide technical and infrastructural support to achieve improved informal justice mechanisms, strengthened functioning of the judiciary and improved criminal investigation and prosecution. The programme will focus on seven districts of Malakand Division, namely Swat, Malakand, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Buner, Shangla and Chitral.

On the occasion, K-P Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akbar Khan Hoti thanked the Dutch Embassy for promoting rule of law, peace and security in Malakand. “Improved court functioning, easy access to justice and legal aid to the needy people needs to be encouraged,” said the IGP. He favoured a focus on alternate dispute resolution and effective prosecution and investigation of criminal cases. Furthermore, he urged on expansion of the programme to other parts of K-P, where circumstances are similar to Malakand.

Ambassador Scheltema said that enhancing peace, security and stability is one of the key pillars of Dutch foreign policy as they were quintessential for creating an environment conducive for development and economic growth. “The Netherlands government is confident that this programme will make a positive difference in strengthening the rule of law because of the strong commitment demonstrated by the K-P government and other stakeholders,” said the ambassador.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2012.