In a first, with UNDP’s support, Gilgit Baltistan gets its very own Rule of Law Delivery Unit

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 6, 2022: Mr. Nazir Ahmad Advocate, Deputy Speaker, Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Assembly, Mr. Syed Suhail Abbas Minister Law, Government of  GB, Mr. Yasir Abbas Coordinator to the Chief Minister GB on Rule of Law, and Ms. Chamila Hemmathagama, Programme Manager, Rule of Law (RoL) Programme, UNDP Pakistan, inaugurated the region’s first RoL Delivery Unit at the Soni Jawari Centre for Public Policy (SJCPP), Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Gilgit.

 

The RoL Delivery Unit will oversee the implementation of the RoL Roadmap, a strategy that identifies key priority intervention areas for rule of law and justice reforms, and security and justice sector institutional strengthening in GB. The GB RoL Roadmap was developed by the Government of GB with technical advice and assistance from UNDP earlier this year. It will be presented before the GB Cabinet for further approval. 

 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nazir Ahmad, Advocate, Deputy Speaker, GB Assembly, assured, “The Government of GB is committed to introducing reforms that will enhance the service delivery of the law enforcement and justice sector institutions to consequently, empower the citizens of GB.” He also thanked UNDP for its technical support in developing the roadmap and the delivery unit.

 

Mr. Yasir Abbas, Coordinator to the Chief Minister GB on Rule of Law also spoke on the occasion and thanked UNDP for its support in developing the GB ROL Roadmap.

 

Ms. Chamila Hemmathagama, Programme Manager, Rule of Law Programme,  UNDP Pakistan, underlined, “UNDP, through its efforts, aims to improve access to justice and security to all including marginalized segments of the community in GB.” She also thanked UNDP Global Programme Fund for generously supporting the project that spanned over two years (2020-2022) and focused on strengthening GB’s law and justice sector to ensure a more peaceful, just, and safer community.

 

After the inauguration, a consultative session was also held that was attended by all the key law enforcement and legislative stakeholders of GB. In the session, UNDP and the Government of GB oriented the participants on the GB RoL Roadmap while highlighting its significance and scope.

 

The UNDP Rule of Law Programme is implementing a range of interventions to strengthen Pakistan's security and justice sector governance.