PESHAWAR: Peace and Justice Network (PJN) in collaboration with UNDP Pakistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police organized a divisional consultative workshop to develop an action plan to strengthen Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Organized under the EU-funded Deliver Justice project, the workshop brought together stakeholders from across the region, including DRC members from Peshawar and Khyber, representatives of the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, civil society, legal experts, and community leaders were involved, to develop strategies for capacity building. and effectiveness of DRCs, said a press release issued on Friday.
Organizers said the aim of the workshop was to develop a comprehensive action plan to address the challenges faced by DRCs and to empower these councils as a key mechanism to resolve conflicts and ensure access to justice.
Syed Raza Ali, CEO of the Peace and Justice Network, said: “Strengthening DRCs is critical to ensuring that justice is accessible, effective and inclusive, particularly for marginalized groups. have the potential to bring closer justice, reduce the burden on formal courts and promote trust within communities.”
SSP Coordination Peshawar, Muhammad Waqas Khan said: “As an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, DRCs play an important role in mitigating conflicts at the community level. It is important to strengthen their operational capacity to solve the problem effectively.
Salma Zeib, Rule of Law Specialist, UNDP Pakistan, highlighted the importance of inclusion, saying: “For DRCs to be truly effective, they must be represented and supported by all members of the community, including women, minorities and other vulnerable groups. Needs must be met. Inclusiveness is central to sustainable justice and peace.
Nayab Ali, transgender rights advocate and in-charge of the Islamabad Police Gender Cell, added: “DRCs should actively involve marginalized groups, including transgender people, to build trust and ensure equal access to justice. do
Nida Khan, Rule of Law Adviser, PJN, emphasized the need for gender responsiveness in DRCs, noting, “A gender-sensitive approach to conflict resolution ensures that the voices of women and girls are heard and Redressal of their grievances is essential for creating a more just and fair society.
Wajid Ali Khan, Director, Regulation and Additional District and Sessions Judge said: “DRCs play a vital role in bridging the gap between communities and formal justice institutions. By providing resources, we can ensure their sustainability and effectiveness.”
Peshawar Capital City Police Officer Qasim Ali Khan while appreciating the efforts of DRC members said that DRC is a transparent and active organization dedicated to delivering justice and addressing the daily challenges faced by the community.
The participants reviewed the socio-cultural dynamics of Peshawar Division, discussed constraints such as procedural complexities, limited resources and public awareness. Recommendations include strengthening the legal and procedural framework governing DRCs, enhancing inclusion by increasing the participation of women, transgender people, religious minorities and persons with disabilities, improving cooperation between DRCs and formal justice institutions. Involves providing technical and operational training along with manufacturing. Members of the DRC