Rs 258 million being spent on 18 schemes under AJP in Balochistan

Eighteen schemes with a total cost of Rs 258 million are being completed in Balochistan under Access to Justice Programme (AJP) in the sector of judiciary and police regarding infrastructure as well as capacity building. While work on nine schemes in various districts of Balochistan is in progress under the AJP, a number of schemes have already been completed.
According to the AJP Secretariat in Balochistan, considerable progress has been made on a number of schemes under AJP. As part of the financial plan, Balochistan is entitled to a share of Rs 1, 140.8 million as per the NFC Formula. Out of this entitlement, the cumulative budgetary allocation made so far is Rs 1, 056.0 million and now Rs 1, 008.0 million have been released by the AJP for utilisation in the province. Work on the AJP loan schemes is in process, while the majority of projects in various justice sector departments have been completed.
Cost distribution percentage of various departments indicates that major portion of the amount is being spent on reforms in judiciary (30 percent), prisons (31 percent), police (27 percent) and levis (seven percent). The remaining five percent of cost has been allocated to complete some initiatives in the law department, prosecution department and the office of the ombudsman.
As part of this plan, 35 courtrooms and buildings, 27 residences for judicial officers, 16 litigants' sheds with basic amenities, one judicial complex, one bar room and land acquisition have been made possible. Work on various schemes has already been completed with an expenditure of Rs 133 million.
Estimated expenditure of Rs 125 million is being incurred on ongoing schemes in the province. A provision of Rs 282 million has made on the establishment of new police lines, barracks and residential complexes. The projects worth Rs 165 million have been completed whereas work on Rs 118 million projects is going in various districts of Balochistan.
In prison department, Rs 247 million are separately reserved for the construction of 10 barracks and 12 death cells, 54 residences for jail staff. One facility for juvenile offender is also in the offing as part of AJP schemes. The Balochistan High Court has taken many steps to reduce the number of pending cases and to ensure that the legal system can dispense justice without undue delay. Availability of resources under the AJP will go a long way in removing the problem areas in dispensation of justice.