Pakistan has started a nationwide, state-funded legal aid programme to give economically disadvantaged residents free legal assistance, marking a historic step towards promoting fair access to justice. Launched under the motto “Justice for All,” the programme aims to guarantee that no litigant’s right to a fair trial is denied because of a lack of funding.
From subordinate courts to the Supreme Court, the new legal aid system will provide support in civil, criminal, and family cases. Targeting structural injustices that have long prevented marginalised populations from pursuing legal action, it represents a significant change in Pakistan’s framework for delivering justice.
The initiative, which will be run by the Ministry of Law and Justice in coordination with bar councils and provincial governments, will hire qualified public defenders, set up assistance desks, and offer online resources for case monitoring and consultation. According to officials, the service would be open, easily accessible, and devoid of bureaucratic or political meddling.
The action has been hailed as a “transformational step” towards the realisation of constitutional rights by legal experts and human rights organisations. According to a prominent counsel, “this initiative brings dignity and hope to thousands of voiceless Pakistanis who have long struggled within an overloaded legal system.” By the end of the year, the programme is anticipated to be fully implemented in all significant districts.
