4 January 2024, Islamabad – The UNODC, in collaboration with UN Women and the Government of Balochistan (GoB), has successfully concluded a transformative series of five capacity-building training sessions in Islamabad. These sessions, titled ‘Training on Legislative Drafting for Legal Drafters,’ were made possible through funding from the European Union (EU) under the ‘Delivery Justice Project.’ The project’s overarching goal is to reform processes, ensuring the delivery of people-centered justice and supporting Criminal Justice Institutions (CJIs) while enhancing service delivery within the security sector, aligning with constitutional safeguards and international standards.
Conducted in the final quarter of 2023, the workshops engaged 78 participants, including 13 women representing law departments of all four provinces. These training sessions were strategically designed based on a comprehensive need assessment carried out by UNODC, which determined necessary amendments to the legislative frameworks governing criminal justice institutions.
A Manual of Legislative Drafting, comprising 11 training modules, was meticulously developed to cover technical aspects of legislative drafting. This manual aimed to address key objectives and fulfill the identified needs outlined in the framework review. This initiative is strategically tailored to address both current and future needs. Its objectives include the training of drafters involved in or connected to legislative and policy proposals, as well as the enhancement of the capacity of legislative drafters.
The format of the training included practical exercises and group discussions, fostering a holistic learning experience. The overarching goal was to augment participants’ understanding of constitutional and legal systems, principles of statutory interpretation, and analytical skills. Additionally, the program aimed to strengthen participants’ comprehension of methodologies and research processes, addressing challenges commonly associated with legislative drafting.
Mr. Suhail Shahzad, Professor of Law at the University of Peshawar and the primary instructor, highlighted the participants’ enthusiastic engagement throughout the training. He noted their keen interest in all the topics discussed, emphasizing that the sessions provided a valuable platform for sharing institutional experiences in legislative drafting. The training facilitated dynamic discourse on actual challenges faced by participants, encouraging exploration of viable options for resolution.
In summarizing the overall impact, Mr. Shahzad described the initiative as a resounding success in capacity-building. Participants expressed their gratitude to UNODC, UN Women, and the EU for providing this invaluable opportunity to enhance their skills and contribute to the collective advancement of legal drafting expertise.
In acknowledgment of their commitment and achievement, all trainees received certifications of participation along with copies of the comprehensive manual and training modules. Mr. Kaleemullah Khan, Secretary of Law and Parliamentary Affairs of the Government of Balochistan, expressed his sincere appreciation for the valuable efforts invested in this crucial training initiative. Emphasizing the significance of this training, he underscored the need for its continuity. In his words, “The expertise imparted here is invaluable, and I strongly advocate for a second round of training, perhaps even more intensive, to ensure our officers fully leverage this opportunity. We need technical expertise coupled with proper skills training to propel this capacity-building initiative forward effectively.” Mr. Khan’s endorsement reinforces the importance of sustained and enhanced training to empower officers with the necessary tools and expertise.
