Government committed to legal education reform and Lawyers’ welfare, says Law Minister

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving legal education, strengthening the professional training of lawyers, and ensuring the effective administration of justice.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving legal education, strengthening the professional training of lawyers, and ensuring the effective administration of justice. Addressing the inauguration of the Lawyers Education Academy at the Punjab Bar Council and a certificate distribution ceremony for successful participants of the Bar Vocational Course, Tarar outlined a series of reforms aimed at modernizing the legal profession and enhancing the welfare of lawyers.

The minister announced that work is underway on introducing a comprehensive health insurance policy for lawyers and their families, with the federal and Punjab governments extending full support to the welfare of the legal fraternity. Under the proposed scheme, lawyers will be provided treatment for cancer, kidney, liver, and heart diseases at both public and private hospitals. The Punjab government has already released Rs1.35 billion in grants for the scheme and announced an additional Rs70 million to further strengthen the initiative.

Tarar described the legal profession as a sacred responsibility and urged lawyers to strengthen their institutions and resolve disputes through institutional forums. He also highlighted the establishment of the Directorate of Legal Education at the Pakistan Bar Council as a major reform aimed at modernizing legal education. On judicial reforms, the minister said a seven-member committee had been constituted to ensure transparency and merit in the appointment of high court judges. The committee will interview candidates and submit its recommendations to the Judicial Commission.

The minister noted that the Bar Vocational Course has been mandatory since 2018 and announced that the Punjab Bar Council will no longer issue licences without verification of law degrees by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). He also announced that the Bar’s Benevolent Fund had been increased from Rs300,000 to Rs600,000, pledging that there would be no compromise on the rights and welfare of lawyers.

The ceremony was attended by Judicial Commission member Ahsan Bhoon, Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairman Pir Muhammad Masood Chishti, Punjab Bar Council Vice Chairman Khawaja Qaiser Butt, senior office-bearers of the Pakistan and Punjab Bar Councils, and a large gathering of legal professionals. The initiatives announced by Tarar represent a significant step toward addressing the long-standing concerns of the legal community and improving the overall standard of legal education and practice in Pakistan.