Empowering Rural Communities: Free Legal Camp by TI Pakistan in Dera Ghazi Khan
Title : Empowering Rural Communities: Free Legal Camp by TI Pakistan in Dera Ghazi Khan,
Date : Monday, September 16, 2024
Venue : DG Khan, Punjab
On Monday, September 16, 2024, Transparency International Pakistan (TI Pakistan), in collaboration with Youth Front Pakistan (YFP), organized a successful free legal advice camp in Dera Ghazi Khan under TI Pakistan’s Mobile Advocacy and Legal Advice Center (ALAC) initiative. The camp provided awareness and essential legal support to 44 rural community members, empowering them with the tools to seek justice and defend their rights
Mobile ALAC Camp Begins with Community Engagement and Expert Introductions
The Mobile ALAC activity opened with a recitation of the Holy Quran, fostering a sense of community and reflection. Following this, Syed Nadeem Ahmad, President of Youth Front Pakistan (YFP), introduced the legal adviser, Mr. Asad Raza, Advocate Lahore High Court, alongside the dedicated team from Transparency International Pakistan (TI Pakistan), setting the stage for an impactful day of legal guidance and support.
Transparency International Pakistan's Mission Highlighted
Assistant Project Coordinator, Mr. Saad Aalam, then took the stage to elaborate on the purpose and objectives of the free legal advice camp. He underscored TI Pakistan’s mission to combat corruption and promote transparency, highlighting how initiatives like the Mobile ALAC align with the organization’s broader vision of empowering communities and ensuring access to justice for all. He emphasized that the free legal advice camp is designed to empower individuals by providing them with practical solutions to their legal challenges. He further stressed that TI Pakistan is dedicated to building a corruption-free Pakistan, urging participants to actively raise their voices against any form of corruption and injustice.
Community Concerns: Critical Issues Raised During the Legal Camp
During the free legal advice camp, participants highlighted a range of pressing issues faced by the people of Dera Ghazi Khan. The most frequently raised concerns centered on the inadequate distribution of funds under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), alongside challenges related to sewerage, electricity, and access to essential medicines.
Women reported significant difficulties in accessing the distant BISP office, located 35 to 40 kilometers away, where long waits and overcrowding force many to spend the entire day just to register for surveys. Additionally, the community voiced frustrations over recurring sewerage and drainage issues, which have led to the spread of diseases such as malaria and dengue, posing serious health risks.
Additional Issues Raised: Electricity Hazards and Healthcare Shortfalls
Residents also voiced concerns over significant electricity problems, including low voltage, an inadequate network of poles and wires vulnerable to damage, and frequent feeder tripping, all of which pose serious safety risks to the community. Participants stressed the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to ensure a reliable and safe power supply.
Additionally, the unavailability of essential medicines at the government hospital was highlighted, with attendees calling for immediate action to address this critical healthcare gap.
In closing, Syed Nadeem Ahmad, President of Youth Front Pakistan (YFP), expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the community to TI Pakistan for organizing a successful free legal advice camp, bringing much-needed support to Dera Ghazi Khan’s rural population.
Empowering Communities with Legal Solutions
During the camp, participants were informed about actionable solutions to their issues, empowering them to engage with relevant departments for redressal. Advocate Asad Raza outlined the legal avenues available to seek resolutions, educating the community on their fundamental legal rights and guiding them on where and how to find resolution of their problems and pursue justice effectively. It was also highlighted that TI Pakistan Advocacy and Legal Advice Camp will take up relevant complaints with the district and provincial administration to seek redress for citizens’ grievances.
Bridging Gaps for Better Governance: A Call for Collaboration
The one-day free legal advice camp not only shed light on the critical challenges faced by locals but also underscored the urgent need for stronger collaboration between communities, organizations, and government stakeholders to foster good governance and improve community well-being.
Transparency International Pakistan (TI Pakistan) is committed to bringing citizens problems to the attention of the relevant authorities. The legal advice camps aim to serve as a vital link between local communities and government institutions, driving meaningful solutions to pressing local issues.
