The Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF) Governing Body, under the leadership of Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, has sanctioned Rs. 2 billion for transformative judicial infrastructure projects nationwide. The allocation, announced during a meeting at the Supreme Court on Monday, will focus on improving court accessibility and litigant services, especially in underdeveloped areas.
The federal grant will finance initiatives promoting inclusivity, such as dedicated women-friendly spaces in Sindh and Balochistan courts, costing Rs. 631.579 million. The program aims to provide a safe and comfortable environment for female litigants.
Another Rs. 317 million has been earmarked for sustainable infrastructure development in remote districts under the Underdeveloped Regions (UDR) program. This includes solarizing courts for consistent power supply and building digital legal libraries to enhance research capabilities in Sindh, Lahore, Balochistan, and Peshawar High Courts’ jurisdictions.
Beyond infrastructure, the AJDF is investing in judicial training programs and legal aid. New courses have been approved for judicial academies at both federal and provincial levels. Additionally, standardized procedures were adopted for streamlining free legal assistance, particularly for cases before the Supreme Court and High Courts.
The Governing Body also amended AJDF rules to expand the reach of its Judicial and Research activities, allowing for greater operational adaptability and a more substantial impact. Chief Justice Afridi lauded the collective efforts and reiterated the judiciary’s commitment to using these funds to foster sustainable and inclusive justice across Pakistan.