NA passes legal aid and justice authority bill

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Wednesday passed the Legal Aid and Justice Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The legislation amends the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Act, 2020, transferring control of the Legal Aid and Justice Authority from the Ministry of Human Rights to the Ministry of Law and Justice.

An amendment to Section 7 of the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Act, 2020, stipulates that in the absence of the Director General or if the Director General is unable to perform their duties for any reason, or if the position is vacant pending the appointment of a regular incumbent, the authority may authorise any officer to temporarily perform the functions of the Director General.

The Legal Aid and Justice Authority was established in 2020 through an act of parliament to formulate policies, principles and guidelines for providing legal aid, as well as financial or other assistance, including setting criteria for eligibility to receive such aid.

The authority’s mandate includes designing and establishing an effective mechanism for the provision, monitoring and evaluation of legal aid. It also advises the government or any other agency on the enforcement of the right to a fair trial and due process of law.

Additionally, the authority is tasked with promoting programmes aimed at raising public awareness of the legal aid system in Pakistan. The National Assembly session, which was initially adjourned to meet on Thursday morning (today), will now be held on Friday at 11 a.m.

The speaker changed the session’s schedule by exercising his powers under sub-rule 2(b) of Rule 49 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.