2024

. Legal Camps and Awareness Clinics

• On-the-Ground Legal Assistance:

Setting up camps in designated sectors of Islamabad (G-11, G-9, F-10, and F-11) and Rawalpindi, the LR team provided direct legal consultations.

• Targeted Outreach for Afghan Refugees:

These camps not only catered to residents but specifically included Afghan refugees, with 114 sessions dedicated to this group in Islamabad and additional clinics elsewhere. The sessions enabled beneficiaries to address both urgent legal matters (such as rent agreements and property disputes) and broader human rights concerns.

1. Advice, Counselling, and Mediation

• Direct Legal and Psychosocial Support:

Alongside formal legal advice, the firm’s strategy incorporated mental health and psychosocial sessions. Weekly sessions were held for traumatized individuals including both Pakistani citizens and Afghan refugees using qualified psychologists. These sessions were crucial for addressing the mental health repercussions of legal and economic pressures.

• Family and Separation Cases:

A significant trend noted is the increase in family separation and inheritance disputes, often driven by economic hardships and low wages. The counseling services were geared toward guiding families through these challenges, with 157 cases reported as reflective of deeper socio-economic stresses.

1. Court Interventions and Legal Proceedings

• Immigration and Asylum:

The firm managed 49 immigration cases and 19 asylum cases with notable successes such as the UNHCR-assisted processes and specific citizenship cases through the Peshawar High Court.

• Mass Detention Cases:

Addressing issues around detention, LR’s legal intervention assisted in the release of 3,309 Pakistani detainees. The report also documents the complex challenges surrounding undocumented Afghan refugees, who are at a higher risk of arrest due to lack of proper legal documentation.

3. Quantitative and Qualitative Data Trends

The report provides detailed session-by-session data as well as broader observations:

• Monthly Session Breakdown:

The activity was spread relatively evenly over the year, with a notable peak in April (81 sessions) primarily focused on human rights, immigration, and rent documentation, indicating a high urgency during that period.

• Community Engagement:

Across platforms (individual outreach, social media groups, and dedicated legal sessions), engagement metrics ranged from several hundred to over two thousand participants per month, demonstrating robust community uptake.

• Legal Service Categories:
• Family Disputes and Inheritance: A pronounced trend with multiple sessions and significant community interest.
• Property and Taxation Issues: Frequently addressed, reflecting economic pressures and disputes exacerbated by political instability.
• Immigration and Documentation: Both a service priority and a reflection of the broader migration trends in response to political and economic uncertainties.

4. Challenges, Trends, and Implications

Key Challenges:

• Documentation and Legal Identity:

Many beneficiaries, particularly among refugees, struggle with lack of adequate legal documentation, barring access to essential public services.

• Political and Economic Pressures:

The combined impact of political unrest and a volatile economic environment has led not only to a loss of investor confidence but also to an increase in family separations and disputes.

• Cross-border Legal Issues:

Afghan refugees, due to the restrictive visa environment under the Taliban and inadequate support for asylum processes, face heightened risks of detention and deportation.

Overseas

In the current scenario, the political instability has diminished the trust level of the Overseas, and larger numbers of families pulled their handsome investment from business and property sectors.  During the reporting it has evaluated that the Overseas more emphasis the property and inheritance issues. Larger numbers reported a dispute among families regarding the invested money which has larger loss and the Government had weakened the mechanism to stop such abuse and violation of reported cases.  Legal Researchers handled 217 documentation and 93 inheritance matters, including 71 property legal hearings, 17 property ownership disputes, 16 distribution of property shares, and 13 payment issues. 23 Family matters addressed were separation, 9 second marriages, 9 child custody, and marriage and 7 death certificates. The Firm has initiated the resolution of Investment issues in which overseas Pakistanis faced plot allotment, file transfers, unauthorized society investments, property rental issues, property evictions, etc. Furthermore, 29 cases were assisted through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), covering inheritance, family, and investment matters. A total of 114 individuals were assisted with advice, counseling, and document filing in the proper forums to obtain attestation for birth, marriage, and death certificates, and family reunion matters. Lastly, 49 immigration cases were assisted, and 158 overseas tax return cases were filed.

Observed Trends:

• Increasing Immigration Applications:

A surge as youth and affected families seek better futures abroad, with many moving for improved education, job opportunities, and overall safety.

• Increased Family Disputes:

Economic insecurity is driving a rise in domestic disputes, particularly around inheritance and property, where close family ties turn into sources of conflict.

• Legal Awareness and Engagement:

Despite challenges, there is an upward trend in public engagement with legal processes evidenced by the growing numbers in the knowledge sessions and legal camps.

5. Outcomes and Future Directions

Achievements:

• Effective Legal Advocacy:

The firm’s interventions have resulted in tangible outcomes such as the release of thousands of detainees, the successful resolution of numerous legal disputes, and the progress in immigration and citizenship cases.

• Broad-Based Outreach:

By integrating digital platforms with traditional legal camps, the firm has managed to reach diverse beneficiary groups including marginalized communities and overseas Pakistanis.

Future Considerations:

• Scaling Outreach and Support:

The firm plans to extend its services further to broaden its community impact, particularly in areas with high demand for legal education and support.

• Policy and Systemic Advocacy:

The data suggests that addressing systemic issues such as improving documentation protocols and offering better support for refugees could mitigate many of the underlying challenges. Strategic advocacy with policymakers might help in reforming inadequate government mechanisms.

• Enhanced Mental Health and Psychosocial Support:

Given the increasing stress and trauma among beneficiaries, further investment in mental health services is imperative.

Human Rights Walk and Address by Sheraz Khan at Islamabad High Court

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, Mr. Sheraz Khan, Executive Director of Legal Researchers, led a Human Rights Walk at the Islamabad High Court. The walk was held to raise awareness about universal human rights and strengthen advocacy for equal access to justice, particularly for marginalized communities.

During his address, Mr. Khan delivered a comprehensive speech covering the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). He placed strong emphasis on:

• Freedom of movement
• Freedom of expression
• Freedom of profession and occupation

He also clarified the distinctions and obligations under international human rights law, particularly the roles of:

• State actors in guaranteeing legal protections,
• And non-state actors who also bear responsibility under international humanitarian law in certain contexts.

Mr. Khan highlighted that human rights are not just legal obligations but moral imperatives, and called upon the legal fraternity to uphold these principles in courts, communities, and policy forums. The event was attended by legal professionals, students, civil society members, and representatives of partner organizations, marking a meaningful step toward strengthening human rights dialogue in Pakistan.

Conclusion

The Legal Researchers Firm has demonstrated significant impact in a challenging socio-political landscape by offering a blend of digital and in-person legal services. Their work has not only supported a wide array of legal issues from family disputes to immigration but has also underscored critical gaps in government service delivery, particularly for refugees and low-income groups. This comprehensive approach, which combines legal advocacy with psychosocial support, sets a promising foundation for future efforts aimed at ensuring access to justice and promoting societal stability in increasingly volatile conditions.