LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Saturday assured a conference on “Legal Aid in Pakistan-The next steps” of a new legislation for establishment of the legal aid authority.

The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) organized the conference in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in a hotel here on The Mall.

Besides representatives of the PBC, the conference was also attended by leaders of the Supreme Court Bar Association, provincial bar councils and various district bar associations.

The conference agreed that the PBC would consider review of the present Free Legal Aid Rules 1999 in the light of suggestions given by the participants.

PBC vice-chairman Azam Nazir Tarar said the right to fair trial and legal aid was the fundamental right and the State must take necessary steps to establish a Legal Aid Authority to ensure quality legal services to deserving litigants in both criminal and civil matters.

He said the PBC would jointly work with the UNDP to reform the existing legal aid system in the country.

Law Minister Sanaullah said the law on the free legal aid should be synchronized with the needs of modern days.

He said the government would extend its full support in legislation to this effect.

The conference resolved that the PBC would take all necessary actions to activate its legal aid committees across the country.

It was further emphasized that a proper monitoring, reporting and accountability mechanism would be developed to ensure the provision of quality legal aid services.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2015

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