24 October 2024, Karachi - The Government of Balochistan, in collaboration with UNODC and Rule of Law (RoL) stakeholders and with funding from the European Union Pakistan, hosted a two-day 'Planning Workshop on the Balochistan Rule of Law Roadmap 2024-2026. Held on October 23-24, 2024, in Karachi, this workshop marked a significant step toward shaping the next phase of reforms under the updated roadmap. It provided an opportunity to reflect on achievements, address challenges from earlier phases, and align strategies to enhance justice delivery across the province.
The planning workshop builds on the successful completion of the first phase of RoL reforms (2018-2022), where the Government of Balochistan laid a solid foundation for institutional reforms. With renewed commitment, the government has revalidated the roadmap as a four-year strategic plan, guided by the newly approved RoL Action Plan 2024-2026. This phase focuses on consolidating earlier progress, such as strengthening legislative frameworks, enhancing prosecutorial and investigative capacities, and promoting the use of data-driven policy decisions. Cross-institutional collaboration remains central to this effort, ensuring a coordinated and effective reform process.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Abdul Nasir Dotani, Special Secretary of the Home Department, Government of Balochistan, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure a prosperous and secure future for the province. He stressed that partnerships and coordinated actions among stakeholders are vital for driving sustainable reforms and achieving long-term success.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from the RoL sector to share experiences, reflect on lessons learned, and explore strategies for implementing the updated roadmap. A key focus was aligning the RoL Action Plan with the revised PC-I document to ensure seamless coordination between financing mechanisms and reform objectives. Participants discussed challenges from the first phase, such as limited funding and complex institutional arrangements, while identifying practical solutions to improve coordination and expand access to justice services.
The participants highlighted the importance of data-based decision-making and explored how efficient data collection and monitoring systems can improve justice outcomes. They also examined successful practices from other contexts, covering results planning, legislation, research, and advocacy efforts. Another focus was on strengthening institutional collaboration to align strategies between the RoL Action Plan and PC-I, minimizing overlaps and ensuring efficient use of resources.
Interactive discussions, including Q&A sessions, generated practical recommendations to help institutions work more effectively. These insights will shape a shared vision for the next phase of reforms, ensuring the roadmap delivers on its promise of improved criminal justice outcomes for the people of Balochistan.
This planning workshop served as a pivotal moment to assess progress, address challenges, and set the direction for the future of RoL reforms in the province.
