QUETTA: The government of Balochistan, in collaboration with the European Union Delegation and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), successfully convened the 9th and final Provincial Steering Committee meeting to evaluate the progress of the Rule of Law Roadmap in the province. This initiative, supported partially by the EU-funded Deliver Justice Project and aided by UNODC, UNDP, and UN Women, aims to enhance the justice sector through reforms, improve institutional performance, and strengthen accountability mechanisms across Balochistan.
According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, Mr. Hamza Shafqaat, gathered representatives from the EU, provincial stakeholders, and implementing partners. Participants reviewed the progress achieved since the previous meeting and agreed on coordinated priorities to enhance institutional capacity for citizen-centric justice delivery.
Key achievements highlighted during the meeting included the enactment of various Acts to modernize legal processes and strengthen accountability. UNODC reported significant progress, such as the operationalization of the Prison Management Information System, establishment of Smart Police Stations, and Court Annexed Mediation Centers. These reforms have been recognized for improving public confidence in policing and prison services.
The committee discussed strengthened case management systems and digital tools aimed at improving efficiency across the justice chain. Capacity-building initiatives for prosecutors, judges, prison officials, and police personnel were also highlighted, with an emphasis on integrating human rights standards into institutional practices.
The meeting underscored the importance of continued EU support for the rule of law reforms as a foundation for stability and good governance. Mr. Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Pakistan, acknowledged the progress achieved through the five-year program and reiterated the EU’s commitment to further reforms. Mr. Troels Vester, UNODC Country Representative in Pakistan, praised the collaboration with the EU and the Government of Balochistan in advancing evidence-based reforms.
In closing, Mr. Hamza Shafqaat expressed appreciation for the EU’s financial support and UNODC’s technical leadership, reaffirming Balochistan’s commitment to rule of law as a foundation for peace and development. The meeting concluded with an agreement on immediate priorities, with continued support requested from the EU and UNODC under a new program anticipated to launch in August 2026.
The Deliver Justice Project, funded by the EU, has been instrumental in strengthening criminal justice institutions and improving access to justice in Pakistan, focusing particularly on Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. With a 20 million Euro investment, the project has promoted transparent and accountable justice service delivery, targeting women and vulnerable groups.