The Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chairman of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan chaired a high-level review meeting in Peshawar to advance initiatives aimed at strengthening judicial infrastructure and improving public facilitation, with a special focus on underserved and remote districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Secretary Finance, Secretary Planning and Development, Secretary Law of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, and the Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.
Expressing concern over the lack of basic judicial infrastructure in remote areas, the Chief Justice of Pakistan stressed the need for targeted, citizen-focused interventions to reduce regional disparities in access to justice. He emphasized that future judicial infrastructure should include modern facilitation centres for litigants, with particular attention to gender-responsive and women-friendly facilities.
Participants were briefed on ongoing nationwide initiatives under the Access to Justice Development Fund, administered by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan. It was shared that bar rooms within judicial complexes have been formally included as beneficiaries of key interventions, including solar power systems, e-libraries, water filtration plants, and women-centric facilities identified through stakeholder consultations.
The forum was informed that province-wide coverage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would require an estimated cost of Rs. 688 million. Of this, the Law and Justice Commission has allocated Rs. 390 million from the Access to Justice Development Fund and Grant-in-Aid, while the remaining amount is to be arranged through provincial support. The Peshawar High Court committed to executing women-centric components from its own resources, and the Chief Secretary assured funding for the remaining facilities.
The meeting was also briefed on the concept of “Sukh da Vehra,” a one-window integrated family and women facilitation centre to be established within or near judicial complexes. The Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court shared details on the establishment of Family Court Blocks in Peshawar and Swat and proposed the replication of similar facilities, titled “Da Sar Soury,” at divisional headquarters. The Chief Justice of Pakistan approved piloting the initiative in two divisions, with the provincial government committing financial support.
The forum further discussed the use of video link facilities for district administration officers in sensitive areas. Directions were issued to ensure the immediate availability of such facilities where required.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the joint commitment of the judiciary and the provincial government to strengthen judicial infrastructure, enhance public facilitation, and ensure equitable access to justice across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in line with constitutional requirements and national policy objectives.
