Three years of conflict between the militants and the Pakistani security forces in several districts of the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (PATA) resulted not only in heavy loss of innocent lives, but also substantial destruction of already weak justice and security institutions. While the Malakand Division enjoys relative stability today, there is a dire need to strengthen its legal institutions and systems to re-establish confidence of the people in the justice system, and with it contribute to prevent a re-emergence of militancy.

Effective, responsive, accessible and fair justice system established, promoting both formal and informal mechanisms with particular attention to women and the most vulnerable.

Poor and vulnerable population of Malakand Division; Judges, Court Staff, Police, Prosecutors, lawyers (Programme will ensure female staff are also included); local CSOs, communities (20% of women to take part in community base activities).

1. Access to Justice: Vulnerable groups (refugees & children), women and men have access to improved justice, legal aid and representation mechanisms in the Malakand Division.
2. Alternative Dispute Resolution: Alternative justice mechanisms provide fair and effective services in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan and international human rights standards.
3. Court Performance & Skills: Courts have improved capacity to provide effective and timely justice services to the people in Malakand.
4. Community Policing & Oversight: The police provides effective security and protection to the Malakand people; citizen’s trust and confidence is enhanced; criminal investigation and prosecution are improved; and civilian oversight mechanisms are in place.

Results from previous phases:  

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has significant experience with successful governance programmes in Pakistan (including projects that focused on legal institutions) whose experiences it can benefit from such as its Gender Justice Programme that was designed to increase women’s and other vulnerable groups access to justice at the local level and the Devolution Trust Community Empowerment Programme that included a component on gauging the perception of the community towards police performance. SDC has funded successful UNDP programmes in the past, including the Gender Responsive Budgeting Initiative, the Monitoring Devolution through Social Audit and the Essential Institutional Reforms Operationalization Programme.

Phase 1 01.06.2013 - 30.09.2015   (Completed)