Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 7 May 2026

UNODC

PRESS RELEASE

9th and the final Provincial Steering Committee Meeting successfully convened in Quetta to review Rule of Law progress

07 May 2026, Quetta - The government of Balochistan, the European Union Delegation and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in collaboration with the rule of law stakeholders, convened the 9th and the final Provincial Steering Committee (PSC) on the implementation of the Rule of Law Roadmap of the province which has been supported in-part, through the European Union (EU) funded 'Deliver Justice Project' and with technical assistance from UNODC, UNDP and UN Women. The aim of the project has been to enhance the central government-led, evidence-based framework for justice sector reforms. The Deliver Justice Project also focused on improving institutional performance, enhancing citizen access to justice, and reinforcing accountability mechanisms across the province.

Chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Home and Tribal Affairs Department, Mr. Hamza Shafqaat, the meeting brought together representatives from EU, provincial stakeholders, and implementing partners. Participants reviewed progress achieved since the 8th PSC meeting and agreed on coordinated priorities to strengthen institutional capacity across the province for citizen-centric justice delivery.

Key achievements have included the enactment of various Acts in the area of criminal justice that will modernize legal processes, strengthen accountability and ultimately create more modern and accessible services for citizens.

UNODC presented progress highlights, including the operationalization of Prison Management Information System (PMIS), Smart Police Stations across Quetta and other districts of Balochistan along with establishment of Court Annexed Mediation Centers. Participants appreciated how these reforms are improving public confidence in policing and prison services. In addition, the meeting discussed strengthened case management systems and digital tools to improve efficiency across the justice chain. Capacity-building initiatives for prosecutors, judges, prison officials, and police personnel were highlighted, alongside ongoing initiatives to integrate human rights standards into institutional practices.

The meeting appreciated and emphasized continued support from the EU for the rule of law reforms as a foundation for stability, accountability, and good governance in Balochistan. Provincial stakeholders welcomed the sustained technical and financial support to ensure long-term reform sustainability. Mr. Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Pakistan, welcomed the significant progress achieved through the five-year programme in strengthening justice sector institutions in the province to enable more people-centred services. He looked forward to further reforms and highlighted the EU's continued commitment to strengthen rule of law and enhance access to justice for the most vulnerable in the province. Mr. Troels Vester, UNODC Country Representative in Pakistan, appreciated the support from the EU and continued commitment of the Government of Balochistan, underscoring UNODC's role as a trusted partner in advancing evidence-based reforms for strengthening the justice sector in Balochistan. In his closing remarks, ACS, Home and Tribal Affairs Department, Mr. Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat appreciated the EU for its financial support and the UNODC for it's technical leadership, and the UNDP, and UN Women for their complementary roles, while reaffirming the Government of Balochistan's commitment to strengthening the rule of law as a foundation for peace, justice, and development.

The PSC meeting concluded with an agreement on immediate priorities, requesting the EU and the UNODC, to continue supporting the Rule of Law and Criminal justice reforms in the province under a new programme which is expected to be launched in August 2026.

The Deliver Justice Project is an EU-funded rule of law initiative implemented from 2021 to 2026 to strengthen criminal justice institutions and improve access to justice in Pakistan, with a particular focus on Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project supported reforms across police, prosecution, judiciary, prisons, and legislative frameworks through institutional capacity building, digitalisation, and governance reforms. With a 20 million Euro investment, the project aimed to promote transparent, accountable, and citizen-centric justice service delivery, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.

For further information, please contact:-

Ms. Rizwana Rahool, Communications Officer, UNODC Pakistan, cell: 0301 8564255, email: [email protected]