PHC seeks govt response against non-implementation of the Legal Aid Act 2019
Pakistan
The petitioner’s counsel argued that a Legal Aid Agency was to be established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the people who cannot afford legal representation
PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has sought a response from the government on a petition against the non-implementation of the Legal Aid Act 2019.
The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Nauman Mohib, argued before a division bench comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Muhammad Naeem Anwar that a Legal Aid Agency was to be established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the people who cannot afford legal representation. But even after six years, the Act has not been implemented, he submitted.
Advocate Mohib stated that under this law, prisoners and women facing legal disputes who cannot afford a lawyer were to be provided free legal assistance.
Justice Anwar asked the counsel in which cases the government was bound to provide a free lawyer. He replied that in cases involving prisoners and women dealing with domestic disputes, the government is responsible for paying the lawyers’ fees.
Subsequently, the court sought a detailed response from the Chief Secretary and the Secretary of Law, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and adjourned the hearing.
