The Legal Aid Society (LAS) and the Directorate of Legal Education (DLE) of the Pakistan Bar Council have formalized a partnership aimed at elevating the standards of legal education across the country. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Tuesday at the Committee Hall of the Pakistan Bar Council, located within the Supreme Court Building.
The Legal Aid Society, established in 2013 by Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving marginalized and underprivileged communities by reducing challenges in accessing justice. Under the leadership of CEO Barrister Haya Eman Zahid, LAS has been at the forefront of legal empowerment, policy advocacy, and capacity development initiatives. Notably, LAS recently launched NAZ Assist, Pakistan’s first multilingual legal advisory chatbot, designed to provide free legal advice in English, Urdu, Sindhi, and Pashto.
The Directorate of Legal Education, an autonomous body housed at the Pakistan Bar Council, was established to implement the Supreme Court’s directives for improving the standard and quality of legal education in Pakistan. Led by its Director, Barrister Usama Malik, the DLE focuses on curriculum enhancement, teacher training, legal research, and the regulation of legal education institutions to ensure adherence to prescribed standards.
This collaboration between LAS and DLE is set to introduce strategic initiatives, including curriculum development, specialized training programs for educators, and the promotion of legal research. By leveraging their combined expertise, both organizations aim to produce a cadre of legal professionals equipped to meet contemporary challenges and uphold the rule of law in Pakistan.
Barrister Usama Malik highlighted the significance of the collaboration, noting, “The Directorate is dedicated to elevating legal education standards nationwide. Partnering with the Legal Aid Society enables us to implement comprehensive reforms that will benefit both educators and students.”
Barrister Haya Eman Zahid expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “This MoU signifies a commitment to bridging gaps in our legal education system. By enhancing curricula and investing in teacher training, we aim to empower future legal professionals to serve justice effectively.”
The signing ceremony was attended by key stakeholders from the legal fraternity, including Haroon Rashid, Member and former Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council; Barrister Ehtesham Aminduddin; Gulzar Ahmad, Secretary of the PBC; and Saqib Faraz, Deputy Director of the DLE. Other members from academia and civil society also attended, expressing support for the initiatives outlined in the MoU. This partnership marks a pivotal step toward a more robust and equitable legal education framework in Pakistan.