“Access to justice should not be a privilege for the few — it must be a right accessible to all. True empowerment comes when people understand their rights, gain legal awareness, and can raise their voices with confidence,” says Barrister Haya Emaan Zahid, CEO of the Legal Aid Society (LAS).

For over seven years, LAS has operated across 7 to 13 judicial districts in Sindh, earning regional and international recognition as a leading organization in law, justice, and development. Founded in 2013 by Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid, the nonprofit was established to support marginalized communities in overcoming barriers to justice.

At the heart of LAS’s work is the importance of understanding the Nikahnama (Marriage Contract) and women’s rights. In Pakistan, extensive scrutiny accompanies property transactions, yet marriage contracts often receive little attention. The Nikahnama is not a ceremonial formality; it is a binding legal document in which conditions can be inserted to safeguard a woman’s rights. In a country where matrimonial property rights for women are not strictly recognized, this document becomes a powerful tool for protection.

Barrister Haya emphasizes that change must begin early. Teaching daughters about their legal rights, the implications of marriage contracts, and avenues of recourse can prevent disputes that later burden families and overwhelm courts.

The broader mission of LAS is to bridge what she describes as the chronic justice gap: the distance between citizens and the state. Justice, as Haya notes, does not walk to one’s doorstep uninvited. It requires proactive engagement from both institutions and individuals. Knowledge alone is insufficient; one must also know how to exercise the law.

This is where LAS intervenes. As a legal aid organization operating on a blended finance model—partly supported by government but largely privately funded—its lawyers represent individuals who cannot afford counsel. Alongside them are more than 700 community-based paralegals who assist citizens in navigating institutions such as NADRA, the Provincial Mohtasib, and local courts. They help with documentation, applications, and procedural guidance—often providing the steady support needed to confront intimidating bureaucratic systems.

To date, LAS has represented over 2,800 women and children. The range of cases includes child sexual abuse, child marriage, abduction, and elderly rights. The youngest client was only two years old. The organization has achieved an 84 percent success rate. Winning is measured not solely by court orders but by meaningful shifts in power dynamics—by whether voices are amplified, representation is secured, and dignity is restored.

“Legal aid is not just about winning cases — it’s about shifting power. Success comes when marginalized voices are heard, representation is ensured, and resources are redistributed so that justice becomes real and tangible.”

— Barrister Haya Emaan Zahid, CEO of Legal Aid Society (LAS)

Yet sustaining this mission has not been without challenge. In early 2023, nearly 80 percent of LAS’s budget was suspended following a global contraction in foreign aid. In response, LAS pivoted toward cultivating local philanthropy, engaging the Pakistani diaspora and encouraging corporations to integrate justice into their corporate social responsibility frameworks. Justice intersects with education, healthcare, livelihoods, and even climate resilience—it is a cross-cutting necessity.

An innovative step followed: LAS obtained Shariah certification confirming that Zakat can legitimately fund legal representation for the poor. This reframed charitable giving, allowing donors to view legal aid not as an administrative expense but as a religiously sanctioned avenue for empowerment.

Haya’s commitment to this cause is deeply personal. She began volunteering at the Karachi Women’s Prison, witnessing how women—many abandoned by their families—lost not only freedom but also their voices due to lack of access to legal resources. Her maternal grandfather served as Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court and later as a judge of the Supreme Court. After refusing to take the oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order during the era of Pervez Musharraf, he retired early and dedicated himself to prison reform. Her grandmother provided medical care to inmates.

From an initial focus on prisons—eventually covering 22 of Pakistan’s 24 facilities with structured legal aid—the organization has since expanded its community presence. Today, in-person services continue in districts including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Dadu, Sanghar, and Shaheed Benazirabad.

The cost of pursuing justice remains significant—approximately Rs. 80,000 per case, inclusive of expenses. But the cost of silence is far greater.

Legal aid, as LAS envisions it, is ultimately a pathway to empowerment. When individuals understand their rights and the systems designed to protect them, they are no longer passive subjects of circumstance. They become active participants in shaping their futures. In that shift—from dependency to dignity—justice becomes not an abstract ideal but a lived reality.

Help the Legal Aid Society (LAS) provide free legal aid, empower marginalized communities, and defend women’s and children’s rights.

Donate here: https://www.las.org.pk/donatenow/

This article was developed with the assistance of AI tools.