Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi has said that pursuant to a decision of the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee (NJPMC), 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.
During a meeting with a delegation of the Karachi Bar Association and a women representatives of the Sindh High Court Bar Association, who called on the CJP at the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry, the CJP shared his vision for strengthening women-friendly judicial infrastructure across the country.
He said the initiative has been taken 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 said the proposed women facilitation centres will include legal aid and legal advisory services, psychosocial support services, referral mechanisms for specialized support services, safe and dignified visitation facilities, as well as other essential support facilities designed to facilitate women litigants and visitors.
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi further said that dedicated reception and waiting areas, separate entrances, hygienic washrooms, mediation and alternative dispute resolution facilities, private consultation and meeting rooms will be included in the proposed women facilitation centers.
He informed the participants that under the auspices of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), the Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP) conducted a nationwide design competition for the women facilitation centers. He said the top three designs have been selected and will be shared with all high courts as model designs to facilitate the establishment of women facilitation centers across the country.
The women representatives appreciated the initiative and expressed their gratitude to the CJP for prioritising the facilitation of women litigants. They also highlighted various issues concerning women’s access to justice and the legal profession.
The chief justice assured the participants that their concerns would be addressed on a priority basis in consultation with the respective high courts and other relevant stakeholders.
The delegation included President Karachi Bar Association Amir Nawaz Warraich, General Secretary KBA Arshad Shar, KBA managing committee members Ms. Hussan Bano and Saleh Naeem, General Secretary Sindh High Court Bar Association Ms. Fareeda Mangrio, and members managing committee SHCBA Ms. Nasira Brohi and Ms. Rukhsana Umer. The meeting was also attended by the chief justice of the High Court of Sindh, Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput, along with the president and general secretary of the Sindh High Court Bar Association.
