Three accused in doctor Akash murder case eliminat…

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi has announced that Women Facilitation Centres will be established in courts across the country to make the justice system more accessible, supportive and efficient for women. The announcement was made during a meeting with representatives of the Sindh High Court Bar Association and the Karachi Bar Association at the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry. The meeting focused on improving facilities for women litigants and addressing challenges faced by female lawyers in the legal profession. During the discussion, the chief justice said the proposed centres are part of broader judicial reforms aimed at creating a more welcoming and convenient environment for women seeking legal assistance. He stressed that women should have easier access to courts and receive the support needed to pursue their cases without unnecessary difficulties. Justice Yahya Afridi said the Women Facilitation Centres would provide a wide range of services under one roof. In addition to offering legal guidance, the centres would include mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) facilities to help settle suitable cases quickly and reduce the burden on courts. He added that the centres would also provide psychological counselling and connect women with relevant government departments and support organisations whenever required. The initiative is intended to ensure that women receive both legal and social assistance throughout the judicial process. The chief justice informed the delegation that the judiciary has already selected the three best designs for the proposed centres. These model designs will be shared with all high courts to ensure a uniform system is introduced across Pakistan. The representatives of women lawyers welcomed the initiative and thanked the chief justice for giving priority to the needs of female litigants. They also highlighted several issues affecting women in the legal profession, including workplace challenges and barriers to equal opportunities within the justice system. Justice Afridi assured the delegation that the concerns raised during the meeting would be addressed on a priority basis. He said the judiciary would work closely with the relevant high courts and other institutions to develop practical solutions and improve facilities for women across the country’s judicial system.

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has rejected the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) allegations of rigging in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, saying the claims are baseless and unsupported by credible evidence. Speaking at a media briefing in Islamabad, Tarar said political parties have the right to raise concerns about elections, but such allegations should be backed by concrete proof rather than speculation or political statements. He urged the PPP to accept the election results with political maturity and respect the democratic mandate of the people. The minister said political point-scoring is common during election campaigns, but parties should focus on serving the public instead of making accusations without evidence. He maintained that the election results reflected the will of the people and should be accepted by all stakeholders. Responding to criticism from Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Tarar questioned the basis of the PPP’s allegations and asked the party to present evidence if it believed electoral irregularities had occurred. He said making serious accusations without proof damages the democratic process and undermines public confidence in institutions. Tarar said the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir voted for the party that presented a stronger development agenda and remained committed to public welfare. According to him, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) centred its election campaign on development projects, better public services and addressing the needs of the people, which earned the confidence of voters. He also advised the PPP to review its own governance performance instead of blaming others for its electoral defeat. He said political parties should learn from election results and strengthen their public outreach rather than questioning the democratic process without evidence. The information minister said the AJK elections were conducted through a complete democratic process. He noted that voters actively participated in election rallies, corner meetings and polling, reflecting the public’s confidence in the electoral system. Tarar recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had congratulated the PPP after its victory in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, describing it as an example of democratic values, political tolerance and respect for the public mandate. He said all political parties should demonstrate the same spirit by accepting election outcomes gracefully. The minister added that the PML-N leadership, including party president Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, ran a united and well-organised campaign in AJK. He said the coordinated campaign and focus on development helped the party secure widespread public support. His remarks came after PPP leaders announced that they would challenge the AJK election results through constitutional and legal forums, alleging widespread irregularities during the polling process. The PPP has demanded investigations and re-elections in constituencies where it believes electoral violations took place.