Mingora – Swat (Agencies): The Peace & Justice Network (PJN), in collaboration with the UNDP Pakistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police, has convened a Malakand Divisional Consultative Workshop aimed at strengthening Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) in Swat under the EU-funded Deliver Justice Project. The workshop brought together representatives from various sectors, including DRCs from Swat, Buner, Shangla, Dir, Chitral, Malakand, and Bajaur, as well as judiciary, law enforcement, civil society, local government, and community leaders.
The primary objective was to develop a comprehensive action plan to empower DRCs as effective mechanisms for resolving disputes and improving access to justice across the region. Ms. Caitlin Chittenden, Rule of Law & Justice Reforms Specialist at UNDP Pakistan, and Syed Raza Ali, CEO of Peace & Justice Network, emphasized the importance of addressing current gaps in resources, training, inclusivity, and public awareness to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of DRCs.
DPO Swat Badshah Hazrat highlighted the critical role of DRCs in promoting peace and justice at the grassroots level. He noted that DRCs alleviate the burden on formal courts by providing culturally sensitive and accessible platforms for dispute resolution. District & Sessions Judge/Zilla Qazi Swat Safi-Ullah Jan also underscored the importance of strengthening DRCs to foster trust between communities and the justice system.
The workshop participants discussed challenges faced by DRCs and best practices for alternative dispute resolution tailored to the socio-cultural context of Malakand Division. Recommendations included enhancing legal and procedural frameworks, increasing inclusivity, providing technical and operational training, and improving collaboration between DRCs and formal justice institutions.
Ms. Nida Khan, Advocate and PJN Rule of Law Advisor, highlighted the need for a gender-responsive DRC system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The workshop concluded with a collective commitment to advance the proposed action plan, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions in Pakistan.