THE RIGHT A FAIR AND PUBLIC HEARING IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

The rule of law, equality, and access to fair legal proceedings are all jeopardized by the many systemic issues facing Pakistan's justice system. This article examines 23 important problems that collectively impede the administration of justice, starting with persistent court delays that undermine public confidence and ending with pervasive gender bias in courtrooms. The article critically examines the various obstacles, such as political meddling, ignorance of the law, corruption, and police misconduct, drawing on reputable reports from groups like the International Commission of Jurists, Amnesty International, UNDP, Human Rights Watch, and UN Women. Particular focus is placed on systemic flaws like uneven enforcement of the law, opaque bail decisions, and the abuse of anti-terrorism legislation against marginalized groups and political dissidents. The article also looks at hidden barriers that disproportionately affect women, minorities, and economically disadvantaged groups, such as language barriers, the high costs of litigation, and insufficient legal aid systems. The presumption of innocence and the integrity of legal procedures are also examined in relation to the growing significance of media sensationalism and the opacity of military trials. Selective law enforcement tactics and gender-based discrimination highlight the pressing need for extensive reforms. The article attempts to highlight both the symptoms and the systemic causes of Pakistan's judicial crisis by combining information from reliable sources. In the end, it makes the case that significant changes are necessary to create a genuinely just and effective justice system, ranging from campaigns to educate people about their legal rights to procedural transparency. Pakistan's judiciary runs the risk of escalating injustice rather than reducing it in the absence of audacious and persistent efforts.