KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Tuesday said that women facilitation centres will be established in courts across the country to provide a safe, dignified, accessible and supportive environment for female litigants.

He also stated that the proposed facilitation centres will include dedicated reception areas, waiting areas, separate entrances, washrooms, meeting rooms, alternative dispute resolution facilities, legal advisory services, psychosocial support services, and other essential support facilities designed to facilitate women litigants and visitors.

The CJP was speaking to the women representatives of the Sindh High Court Bar Association and the Karachi Bar Association during a meeting held at the Supreme Court Karachi Registry. Sindh High Court Chief Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput as well as the presidents and secretaries of both bars were also present.

CJP Afridi shared his vision for strengthening women-friendly judicial infrastructure and further said that pursuant to a decision of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee, 2026-27 has been designated as the year of priority for women litigants’ facilitation, under which women facilitation centres will be established in courts across Pakistan.

He also stated that the initiative aims to provide a safe, dignified, accessible and supportive environment for women seeking justice, ensuring their privacy, security, comfort and ease of access to judicial services. He added that such centres will have essential support facilities designed to facilitate women litigants and visitors.

The CJP further informed the participants that under the auspices of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, the Institute of Architects Pakistan had conducted a nationwide design competition for such facilitation centres and the top three designs have been selected and will be shared with all high courts as model designs to facilitate the establishment of facilitation centres across the country.

According to a statement issued by the SC, the women representatives of both bars appreciated the initiative and also highlighted various issues concerning women’s access to justice and the legal profession. The CJP assured them that their concerns would be addressed on a priority basis.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026