Title: Empowering Communities through Access to Justice: Free Mobile Legal Advice Camp in Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
Location: Karapa Tehsil, District Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)
Date: October 24, 2024 

On October 24, 2024, Transparency International Pakistan (TI Pakistan), in collaboration with the Rural Development Organization (RDO), hosted a free, one-day Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) camp in Dagger Tehsil, District Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The event was organized to provide essential legal support to the residents of Buner, offering practical legal guidance how they can seek redress for their pressing issues under relevant laws.

Over 40 individuals, including 18 women, attended the advice camp. The camp opened with a recitation of the Holy Quran, setting a respectful tone for the day’s activities. Executive Director of RDO, Mr. Hakeem Sadaat, welcomed participants, sharing the goals of the event and stressing the importance of legal awareness in addressing community challenges. Mr. Saad Aalam, Assistant Project Coordinator at TI Pakistan, elaborated on the mission behind the Legal Advice Camps, underscoring TI Pakistan’s commitment to combat corruption, promote transparency, and enable community members to seek legal recourse for grievances.

To ensure personalized support, TI Pakistan arranged local lawyers for men and women at the camp to provide them with legal expertise. Advocate Mr. Iftikhar Alam and Advocate Ms. Reshma Inamullah offered one-on-one legal consultations, guiding participants through their rights and advising on actionable legal steps. They addressed a variety of concerns, from basic rights and local governance issues to specific queries about accessing public resources.

Major issues highlighted included:

– Water Supply: Participants shared that access to clean water remains limited, leading to health challenges and reducing overall quality of life.

– Infrastructure and Cleanliness: Many locals cited deteriorating roads, inadequate sewerage systems, and poor sanitation, impacting health and mobility.

– Primary Education and Healthcare: Residents discussed challenges in accessing quality education and free essential medicines, underlining the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure.

Mr. Saad Aalam further encouraged participants to utilize the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information (RTI) Act 2013. By using this Act, citizens can request information from government departments to monitor public service performance and hold authorities accountable. He urged the community to actively raise their voices on governance and corruption-related issues, asserting their rights and contributing to the betterment of their district.

The Buner Mobile Legal Advice Camp exemplified TI Pakistan’s dedication to empowering local communities. By offering free legal support and enhancing citizens’ awareness of their rights, the camp served as a critical link between Buner’s rural population and public institutions. TI Pakistan will take up relevant complaint with the authorities to seek redress for citizens problems and remains committed to organizing similar initiatives to facilitate access to justice, foster transparency, and drive collaborative governance for a more equitable and inclusive society.