Bilateral Meetings with Heads of Key Criminal Justice Institutions on Implementation of Rule of Law Roadmap, Sindh

19-20 September 2019 - Karachi. The Rule of Law Roadmap of Sindh is a model of good practices encompassing government ownership, partnership between state and society, and promotion of a whole-of-government approach, wherein the judiciary is engaged through its own structure - the Provincial Justice Committee (PJC). This endeavour was developed under the umbrella of GIZ, with the support of the British High Commission. UNODC was formally handed over the Rule of Law Roadmap of Sindh earlier this year for its implementation.

After formal approval of the Sindh Cabinet to the Rule of Law Roadmap in Sindh, UNODC continues to support the Government of Sindh in translating its strategic vision into action. For that purpose the nominated technical working group (TWG) members of the province's criminal justice system (CJS) institutions developed the targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) to move further with the priorities laid down in the RoL strategic document.  

Representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the British High Commission in Pakistan met with the Sindh Government's senior officials and heads of criminal justice system institutions to discuss the methodology and plan for the way forward. The delegation met Chief Secretary Sindh, Mr Mumtaz Ali Shah; Chief Justice Sindh High Court, Mr Ahmed Ali Sheikh; the Registrar, Sindh High Court; Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Shariq Ahmed; Inspector General Police (IGP) Dr Syed Kaleem Imam; Inspector General (Prisons), Mr Nusrat Manghan; and Prosecutor General Sindh, Dr Syed Fiaz Hussain.

At the meetings Mr Jeremy Milsom, UNODC Representative in Pakistan, shared his views and commitment regarding the implementation of Sindh's Rule of Law Roadmap. Ms Jouhaida Hanano, UNODC Criminal Justice Advisor, gave a comprehensive overview of the roadmap process including progress update, ongoing challenges, and what was needed to move on. She informed the different stakeholders of the necessity to engage in establishing a baseline, and of using credible data to review progress against targets and milestones.

Mr Simon Charters, Rule of Law Lead, British High Commission thanked the Sindh Government officials, and assured the BHC's continued support for implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap. He also shared the challenges faced during the implementation phase, and emphasized that roadmaps would achieve real and tangible outcomes when all parties around the table were following the 5 pillars: Routine, Data, Prioritization, Political Leadership, and Learning.  In addition he identified priority areas such as prison overcrowding, conviction/acquittal rates of serious crimes, etc.

During the bilateral meetings overwhelming support was expressed and assured by all CJS institution representatives, who reiterated that achieving the rule of law was a crucial objective of, and a high priority for, the Government of Sindh.