ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP): The Chief Justice of Pakistan, who also serves as Chairman of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), chaired meeting to review progress on nationwide judicial infrastructure reforms, with particular emphasis on the solarization of courtrooms and bar rooms across the country.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan and Resident Additional Secretaries from all provinces. Participants conducted a comprehensive review of projects being implemented under the Judicial Development Fund (JDF), the Under-Developed Regions (UDR) window of the Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF), and grants-in-aid provided by federal and provincial governments. Progress benchmarks, funding streams, implementation gaps, system capacities, and technical configurations were examined in detail.
In Punjab, a substantial infrastructure package has been approved, including Rs 99.575 million under UDR, Rs 1,042.893 million under JDF, and Rs 490.442 million as grant-in-aid. Solarization of 56 eligible bar rooms has been completed, while work is underway in 47 additional bar rooms. The provincial government has prioritized solarization of district court complexes, including District Kasur and Tehsil Fort Abbas (Bahawalnagar), during the fiscal year 2025–26.
Authorities have committed to ensuring uninterrupted power supply to courts by August 31, 2026, deploying solar solutions where grid reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Complementary reforms include establishment of e-libraries, installation of water filtration plants, daycare centres, women facilitation facilities, visitation rooms, common rooms, and separate washrooms for women.
In Sindh, reforms under UDR, JDF, and grant-in-aid allocations cover solarization of courts and bar rooms, establishment of e-libraries and e-kiosks, installation of water filtration plants and R.O./U.F. systems, development of women-centric facilities, and air-conditioning in heat-intensive areas. Solarization projects cover 65 bar rooms and 92 courts at district and taluka levels, while e-libraries are being established in dozens of bar rooms and courts. Women-centric facilities are under development in multiple districts and talukas, with several sites already completed.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has received allocations of Rs 24.8 million under UDR, Rs 247 million under JDF, and Rs 277 million as grant-in-aid. Solarization has been completed in 51 bar rooms and 39 courts, while e-libraries have been established in 66 bar rooms and 62 courts. Water filtration plants have been installed in 22 districts and 11 tehsils. The province has also undertaken construction of new family courtrooms in Peshawar and Takht Bai, Mardan. An additional Rs 298 million has been released to ensure universal provision of hybrid solar systems, fully equipped e-libraries, and water filtration facilities. A women-centric initiative titled “Da Sar Soury” is being piloted in Swabi and Haripur to provide integrated legal aid and support services.
In Balochistan, allocations include Rs 10.31 million under UDR, Rs 64.01 million under JDF, and Rs 172.16 million as grant-in-aid. Solarization has been initiated in all 35 Sessions Divisions, covering 52 buildings, with most divisions already completed and the remainder expected by June 30, 2026.
E-libraries have been established in all Sessions Divisions, and water filtration plants installed in several divisions. Tenders have also been issued for establishment of e-courts in each Sessions Division.
All provincial projects are supervised by the Secretary, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, and personally monitored by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, with Resident Additional Secretaries ensuring oversight, coordination, and adherence to timelines.