HYDERABAD: The Sindh Agriculture and Forestry Workers’ Coordinating Organisation (SAFWCO) in collaboration with Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (OXFAM) on Monday conducted a consultative dialogue between representatives of police, judiciary and civil society for widening and ensuring ways of greater access to justice especially for women, youth and minorities.
Reportedly, the advocate Yousuf Legahri shared his views that the constitution encircles and governs all organs of the state including organisations.
“The set principles also define civil, family and criminal issues; however the proceedings are delayed due to legal loopholes triggered by improper investigation,” he said while expressing concerns over societal unbalance that has been caused by ‘unequal’ justice between the rich and poor.
“Justice must be served equally for all and not for the selected portion of the society,” he added.
Meanwhile, advocate M Parkash asserted that the law provides alternative methods to resolve disputes among rival parties, but unfortunately those methodologies are neither fully implemented nor fully understood.
“The Hindus have undergone forced conversion of their faith, children custody issues, family and property issues,” he said.
Moreover, Mustafa Baloch said that the judicial system contains formal and semi-formal exits for influential politicians, dominant and powerful people while the poverty-stricken people are left at their mercy.
Sarwan Baloch thanked all participants who shared their views regarding judicial system of Pakistan.
The ARC project manager Mustafa Sangrasi revealed that SAFWCO would be implementing a project in 27 union councils of Hyderabad, Sanghar and Khairpur districts based on the opportunity of an emerging “semi-formal” justice sector – informal justice mechanisms that have been recognised or established by the state or police and its linkage with the formal justice system.
“For its successful implementation, the project engages communities, marginalised groups, women and youth to help them understand their real challenges while accessing justice and build their capacity to work with civil society, justice providers and government bodies for developing practical solutions to ensure an inclusive provision of justice,” he said.
Furthermore, Raza Hyder expressed his gratitude to receive such valuable suggestions. He encouraged the participation of police and complaint cell representatives that strengthened links between the social community and the police department.
Published in Daily Times, July 3rd 2018.