Rule of Law Program

Also available in Deutsch

In 2009 the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung established a Rule of Law Program in Pakistan addressing judges as well as advocates. Seminars held on selected legal topics strive to enable the members of the legal community to carry out their work in accordance with the rule of law, eventually leading to strengthened legal structures and thus permitting a stable society in which democratic procedures may take place under the umbrella of rule of law.

Topics of the seminars are legal issues which have not yet received the adequate attention considering their relevance for the well-being of Pakistan. These topics are:
- Human trafficking laws
- Environmental laws
- Cyber laws
- Intellectual property rights
- Consumer rights

The knowledge within the legal community regarding the presented legal issues is usually limited. Therefore, not only lawyers give speeches in which they present the current legal situation, but also experts from the respective fields are being invited to give an insight on the actual issue, thus generating awareness and demonstrating the relevance of dealing with the issue. Seminars have been held in Islamabad as well as in Karachi. Moreover it is planned to expand the program further to Lahore. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung cooperates closely with local organisations. A strong partnership with the “Society for Enforcement of Rule of Law” headed by Ms Shahzadi Samreen Tariq was established in 2009.

Guest of honours so far include Judge Retd. Rana Bhagwandas, Former Judge of the Supreme Court, Judge Mushir Alam, Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, and Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi, President High Court Bar Association.

Taking into account substantial positive feedback and considering the high participation in the seminars, the Rule of Law Program can be evaluated as success and a right step in the direction of enforcing rule of law in Pakistan.