Islamabad (Web Desk): The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) has responded to the challenges faced by overseas litigants in securing timely access to justice by establishing the Overseas Litigants Facilitation Cell (OLFC) with immediate effect.
Situated at the Principal Seat of the Supreme Court (SC), the cell will be overseen by the Principal Staff Officer to the Chief Justice, a statement confirmed.
The initiative aims to serve as a dedicated channel of assistance, offering necessary guidance and facilitation to individuals residing abroad who approach the Supreme Court.
To make the process more accessible, the OLFC can be contacted through a WhatsApp number (+92 326 4442444, messages only) as well as an online portal available on the Court’s official website.
The facility is confined exclusively to matters under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and will not extend to cases pertaining to other courts.
For the purposes of this cell, “overseas litigants” include all individuals living outside Pakistan, regardless of nationality, who are legally entitled to seek relief from the top court.
In line with its mandate, the OLFC will allow petitions, applications, and grievances to be filed digitally, facilitate requests for early hearings, provide updates on ongoing matters, and arrange electronic delivery of certified copies of orders.
All processed cases will be digitally recorded, with regular reports submitted to the Chief Justice.
The OLFC will handle pending matters of overseas litigants strictly within the appellate jurisdiction of the SC, with no role in cases falling under other judicial forums.
This measure highlights the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that litigants abroad are not disadvantaged by distance and are able to pursue their rights effectively before the country’s highest court.