In the United Arab Emirates, Pakistani expatriates now have the direct option to approach the Supreme Court for legal matters.
By Waheed Abbas, Assistant Editor
A significant development in the legal landscape of Pakistan is the establishment of the Overseas Litigants Facilitation Cell (OLFC). This new initiative, spearheaded by Justice Yahya Afridi, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, aims to address the challenges faced by Pakistani nationals living abroad in accessing justice from their home country.
The OLFC, located at the principal seat of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, will serve as a dedicated point of contact for overseas litigants. It will be managed by the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The cell is designed to provide necessary support and facilitation to these litigants within the broad parameters of its mandate.
The OLFC will specifically deal with pending cases of overseas litigants under the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. This is a much-needed relief for Pakistanis living overseas who may face difficulties in contacting the highest court of the South Asian nation directly.
The cell will maintain a digital record of all matters processed, with outcomes, and submit periodic reports to the Chief Justice of Pakistan. It will facilitate the processing of requests for early hearing before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, as well as the submission of petitions, applications, and grievances through digital means. Additionally, it will provide case updates and facilitate the provision of certified copies of orders electronically.
The OLFC can be reached through a dedicated WhatsApp number (+92 326 4442444, messages only), as well as via an online portal available on the official website of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It is important to note that this facility is intended solely for matters pertaining to the Supreme Court and does not extend to cases falling under the exclusive jurisdiction of other courts.
The OLFC is a new development and does not replace existing methods for Pakistani citizens to access justice from abroad. Approximately 4.7 million Pakistani nationals are living and working across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and approximately 1.7 million are in the UAE. With an estimated 10 million Pakistani diaspora living and working across the globe, the OLFC is expected to play a crucial role in improving access to justice for these individuals.
The UAE is one of the countries where the cell is intended to handle litigations for Pakistanis living abroad. This is a significant step towards improving access to justice for Pakistani citizens living overseas, and it underscores the commitment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to ensuring that justice is not only accessible but also convenient for all its citizens, regardless of their location.
