9 April 2025, Quetta – Effective coordination between investigation and prosecution is crucial for ensuring fair and efficient criminal justice. To reinforce this cooperation, UNODC, under the EU-funded ‘Deliver Justice Project’, organized a workshop in Quetta on April 9, 2025. The workshop aimed to advance the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that was previously endorsed and signed, establishing a formalized mechanism for collaboration between the Balochistan Police, Levies, and Prosecution Departments.
The SOPs serve as a structured framework to enhance coordination between Investigation Officers and Prosecutors before the submission of a challan, ensuring early legal guidance, streamlined case preparation, and improved evidence-sharing. This initiative builds upon the progress made in the previous workshop held on October 4, 2024, where key stakeholders finalized and endorsed these SOPs. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) further cemented the commitment of the Balochistan Police, and Prosecution Department to institutionalizing cooperation.
During the workshop, participants assessed the initial implementation of the SOPs, identified operational challenges, and explored strategies to improve efficiency in criminal case management. Discussions also focused on leveraging digital solutions for case tracking and enhancing institutional workflows to reduce delays in investigations and prosecutions.
UNODC’s continued efforts in Balochistan align with the Balochistan Rule of Law Roadmap 2023-26, which provides a strategic direction for strengthening justice institutions. Additionally, the Pakistan Prosecution Forum (PPF) also highlights the need for improved police-prosecutor collaboration to enhance case outcomes.
Since 2022, UNODC has facilitated multiple workshops across Balochistan to strengthen institutional linkages. These include a Police-Prosecutor Cooperation Seminar in Quetta (September 2022) and subsequent workshops in Gwadar (November 2022), Naseerabad (March 2023), and Quetta (May 2024). Each of these initiatives has contributed to a more integrated and effective justice system in the province.
By bringing together key stakeholders and driving systemic reforms, UNODC remains committed to promoting stronger institutional coordination and ensuring access to justice in Balochistan.
