Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chairman, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi chaired the 19th meeting of the Governing Body, Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF) in the Conference Room of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday.
Chief Justices of Lahore High Court, High Court of Balochistan, Islamabad High Court, High Court of Sindh, Peshawar High Court, Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, Additional Finance Secretary, Finance Division and Secretary, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan attended the meeting.
Syeda Tanzeela Sabahat, Secretary, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP) gave a brief overview of AJDF, its mandate and overall performance with regard to funds released under various AJDF windows specifically for infrastructure development and projects executed in Underdeveloped Regions to bring them at par with other areas of the country.
She also updated about the provision of free legal aid to deserving litigants under District Legal Empowerment Committees (DLECs), provision of litigant-oriented conveniences and amenities, projects completed and trainings of justice sector stakeholders through Judicial Academies.
The CJP underscored the need for timely and effective utilization of the funds released to respective High Courts and appreciated the role of Fund in capacity building and infrastructural development of the district judiciary throughout Pakistan. The Governing Body approved the suggestion floated by the HCs for utilization of the funds under UDR window exclusively for solarization of courts and establishment e-Libraries for one year in the underdeveloped districts of the country.
In addition, the projects of Lahore High Court for provision of missing facilities to female judicial officers and litigants in district courts were also approved. The apex body also approved mechanism for smooth and timely completion of projects funded from AJDF.
The Governing Body approved the recommendations of the Technical Evaluation Committee, AJDF regarding projects undertaken through Legal Empowerment, Judicial & Legal Research and Legal Innovation Windows for timely completion.
The apex body extended the purview of Free Legal Aid Committees to the High Courts by enhancing the lawyers professional fee along with increase in funding limit to these Committees. Annual accounts and funds allocation for FY 2023-24 and budget for FY 2025-26 were also approved.
The CJP thanked all the participants for their valuable time and contribution to the Governing Body proceedings.
