Strengthening Governance and Justice in Pakistan: Achieving SDG 16 by 2030

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Pakistan’s Efforts to Meet the 2030 Target

SDG 16 focuses on promoting peaceful, inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice, and building strong, accountable institutions. Pakistan faces significant challenges in these areas but has made notable efforts to meet its targets by 2030.

1. Pakistan’s Commitment to SDG 16

Pakistan is committed to achieving SDG 16 through various reforms and policies aimed at reducing violence, ensuring access to justice, and strengthening institutions. The government, in collaboration with international organizations and civil society, is working to create a peaceful, just, and inclusive society by addressing terrorism, corruption, human rights violations, and institutional inefficiencies.

2. Key Pakistani Efforts Towards SDG 16

a) Promoting Peace and Reducing Violence.

There are several efforts in Pakistan to promote peace and reduce violence, including:

i)Education

The Peace Education Welfare Organization (PEWO) works with Peaceful Schools International to promote peace through schools. PEWO’s projects include the World Learning Grammar School, which provides opportunities for students to learn peer mediation skills.

ii)Community engagement

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Pakistan, in collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), organized a workshop on Countering Violent Extremism Through Community Engagement.

iii)Civil society organizations

The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that works on issues of peace and development. CPDI’s projects focus on promoting peace and tolerance, and improving understanding across cultures.

iv)Awareness campaigns

Pakistan has undertaken awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their rights, legal processes, and available remedies. The Punjab Access to Justice Program and the Sindh Legal Empowerment and Assistance Program provide legal aid and support to vulnerable populations

v)Counterterrorism Efforts 

Pakistan has implemented the National Action Plan (NAP), which includes military operations like Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, targeting terrorism and extremism. These operations have significantly reduced terrorist attacks in the country.

vi)De-Radicalization Programs

Pakistan is working on de-radicalization programs, particularly in regions affected by extremism, to reintegrate former militants and prevent the spread of extremist ideologies.

vii)Police and Security Sector Reforms.

Reforms in law enforcement agencies aim to improve the capacity of police and security forces in maintaining peace and handling conflicts.

b) Ensuring Access to Justice.

Pakistan has made several efforts to improve access to justice, including:

i )Access to Justice Program

This program was enacted in 2002 to reduce the backlog of court cases in Pakistan. The program’s goals included:

Teaching judges case-flow management techniques

Improving the efficiency of the judiciary

Increasing the accessibility of justice services for the poor

ii )Supporting Rule of Law for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies in Pakistan (Amn-o-Insaf).

This project was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project’s goals included:

Strengthening justice institutions and citizen rights

Improving access to justice

Establishing Model Police Stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

C.Pakistan Bar Council

The Pakistan Bar Council is responsible for providing legal aid and creating awareness about legal rights. The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) is the highest elected body of lawyers in Pakistan. Here are some recent efforts by the PBC:

i)Memorandum of Understanding with the Higher Education Commission (HEC)

The PBC and HEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve the quality of legal education in Pakistan. The MoU aims to revamp the syllabus, train law faculty members, and implement quality assurance criteria in legal education institutions.

ii)Rules for advocates

The PBC added a new rule to the Pakistan Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Rules 1976. The rule requires advocates to assist with human rights awareness, promotion, and enforcement when asked by the PBC, Provincial Bar Councils, a Bar Association, or any Court.

iii)Security and law enforcement during elections

The PBC has required law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to ensure security and law and order during the election process. This includes preventing illegal or undesirable activity at polling stations.

D. Punjab Legal Aid Agency.

The Punjab Legal Aid Agency was established in 2019 to provide legal assistance to those who are unable to afford it. The agency’s goals include:

i)Providing legal assistance to accused people who are indigent

ii)Providing legal assistance to women in family disputes, such as divorce, maintenance, dowry, dower, and custody of children

Other efforts to provide legal aid in Pakistan include:

Public Defender and Legal Aid Office Ordinance

Pools of lawyers

The Social Welfare Department established pools of lawyers in every district to provide legal support to residents. The lawyers work with the Incharge of DUAs and use Legal Support Manuals to conduct activities.

E. Judicial Reforms:

    From 2015 to 2024, Pakistan has implemented numerous reforms to enhance the efficiency and transparency of its judicial system. Significant steps have been taken, such as the introduction of digital courts, specialized courts, ADR systems, and efforts to reduce case backlogs. However, challenges such as corruption, political interference, and judicial delays persist. Achieving comprehensive judicial reform will require sustained efforts, better resource allocation, and the continued strengthening of accountability mechanisms. 

F) Strengthening Institutions and Governance:

From 2015 to 2024, Pakistan has made significant efforts to strengthen institutions and improve governance through reforms targeting anti-corruption, digital transformation, police accountability, judicial efficiency, and electoral integrity. While notable progress has been achieved, challenges such as political interference, bureaucratic inertia, and corruption persist. Continued efforts to modernize institutions, enforce transparency, and ensure the rule of law will be critical for Pakistan’s governance agenda in the years to come.

d) Protecting Human Rights and Promoting Inclusivity:

· Human Rights Legislation: Pakistan has passed various laws to protect human rights, particularly for women and children. Key legislations include the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act and the Child Protection Act.

· National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR): NCHR works to protect and promote human rights, particularly focusing on marginalized groups such as women, children, and minorities.

· Rights for Minorities: Although challenges remain, Pakistan has initiated efforts to protect religious minorities through legal frameworks and quotas for minority representation in public offices.

3. Challenges Pakistan Faces in Achieving SDG 16 by 2030

a) Political Instability and Governance Issues:

· Political instability, marked by frequent changes in government, has affected long-term governance planning. Corruption and weak political accountability continue to undermine trust in institutions and the rule of law.

b) Terrorism and Extremism:

· While the frequency of terrorist attacks has decreased, extremism remains a major threat, particularly in certain regions. Radical ideologies and insurgent groups continue to challenge peace and stability.

c) Corruption:

· Corruption remains widespread, affecting institutions at all levels. Though anti-corruption measures are in place, their enforcement is inconsistent, and public trust in anti-corruption institutions like NAB is limited.

d) Weak Rule of Law and Judicial Delays:

· The judiciary is still plagued by inefficiency, with large case backlogs and delays in justice delivery. Access to justice in rural areas, especially for marginalized groups, remains difficult.

e) Human Rights Violations:

· Human rights violations, particularly against women, religious minorities, and journalists, continue to challenge Pakistan’s progress in SDG 16. Violence, discrimination, and weak enforcement of human rights laws are significant barriers.

4. Strategies to Overcome Challenges

a) Strengthening Legal and Judicial Systems:

· Continued reforms are needed to strengthen judicial institutions and reduce case backlogs. Investment in legal aid programs and ADR mechanisms will be essential to improve access to justice for all.

b) Tackling Corruption:

· A more independent and transparent anti-corruption body is crucial. Digital tools like e-governance and open data initiatives can improve transparency and public oversight of government functions.

c) Addressing Terrorism and Extremism:

· Expanding de-radicalization programs and community-based initiatives will help to prevent extremism. International cooperation in intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism is also important to reduce internal and cross-border terrorism.

d) Promoting Civic Engagement:

· Encouraging public participation in governance through civil society organizations, NGOs, and local communities will enhance accountability and inclusivity in decision-making.

e) Human Rights Protections:

· Enforcement of existing human rights laws needs to be strengthened, particularly in the areas of women’s and minority rights. Awareness campaigns and capacity building for law enforcement to handle human rights cases are necessary.

5. Roadmap to Achieve SDG 16 by 2030

a) National Action Plan (NAP) Continuation:

· Continued implementation of the NAP to ensure counterterrorism measures remain effective and inclusive.

b) Judicial and Police Reforms:

· Continued modernization of the judiciary and police, ensuring digital access to legal services and improving the efficiency of law enforcement.

c) Anti-Corruption Initiatives:

· Further strengthening anti-corruption bodies, promoting transparency through e-governance, and ensuring stronger checks and balances in government institutions.

d) Human Rights Advocacy:

· Aligning national laws with international human rights conventions, empowering bodies like the NCHR, and increasing efforts to address gender-based violence and minority rights violations.

e) Partnerships with International Organizations:

· Collaborating with international partners such as the UNDP, UNODC, and international NGOs for technical assistance, capacity building, and funding for peace and justice initiatives.

Through a combination of policy reforms, institutional strengthening, and international partnerships, Pakistan aims to make significant progress toward SDG 16 by 2030. However, the country will need to address deep-rooted challenges in governance, security, and human rights to achieve this goal comprehensively