Hon’ble the Chief Justice of Pakistan/Chairman, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), chaired a high-level review meeting in Peshawar to advance initiatives aimed at strengthening judicial infrastructure and enhancing public facilitation, with particular focus on underserved and remote districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The meeting was attended by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court; Chief Secretary, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Secretary Finance; Secretary Planning & Development; Secretary Law, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and Secretary, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.
Expressing concern over the insufficiency of basic judicial infrastructure in remote areas, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan emphasized the need for targeted, citizen-centric interventions to bridge regional disparities in access to justice. His Lordship underscored that future judicial infrastructure must integrate modern facilitation centres for litigants, with particular emphasis on gender-responsive and women-friendly facilities.
The forum was briefed on ongoing nationwide initiatives under the Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF), administered by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan. Bar rooms within judicial complexes have been formally included as beneficiaries of core interventions, including solarization, e-libraries, water filtration plants, and women-centric facilities identified through stakeholder consultations.
It was informed that province-wide coverage in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa entails a total estimated cost of Rs. 688 million. The Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan has allocated Rs. 390 million from the AJDF and Grant-in-Aid, while the remaining funding gap is to be met through provincial support. The Peshawar High Court undertook to execute women-centric components from its own resources, and the Chief Secretary assured provision of funds for the remaining facilities.
The meeting was also apprised of the concept of “Sukh da Vehra”, a one-window integrated family and women facilitation centre to be established within or near judicial complexes. The Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court briefed the forum on the establishment of Family Court Blocks at Peshawar and Swat and proposed replication of similar facilities, titled “Da Sar Soury”, at divisional headquarters. The Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan approved piloting the initiative at two divisions, for which the Provincial Government committed financial support.
The forum further discussed the utilization of video link facilities for District Administration officers in sensitive areas. Directions were issued to ensure immediate availability of such facilities where required.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the collective 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 mandates and national policy objectives.
This press release can also be downloaded from the official website of Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan: www.ljcp.gov.pk
