Federal Ombudsman Plans Expansion of Poor-Man’s-Courts Across Pakistan

The Federal Ombudsman of Pakistan, Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi, announced plans to expand the Poor-Man's-Court network by opening new offices in remote areas to improve access to free and swift justice, with a commitment to resolving complaints within 60 days. The FO Office has digitalized operations and introduced open courts and online complaint mechanisms, resulting in a high case resolution rate, with over 223,000 complaints decided last year. Meanwhile, in Tanzania, UNFPA's 2024 Annual Report highlighted ongoing efforts to advance gender equality, combat gender-based violence, and promote sustainable development aligned with the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development. In the United States, Democrats focused on opposition to the Dobbs decision and the restoration of Roe v. Wade during the 2024 presidential campaign, while Republicans largely avoided court-related issues despite concerns over the judicial philosophy of the Supreme Court's Democratic appointees, who have supported controversial rulings on racial preferences and student loan cancellation. Lastly, a reflection on South Africa's Constitutional Court emphasized the importance of socioeconomic rights as justiciable fundamental rights, linking them to the historical struggle against apartheid's political and economic oppression and the integrated approach to human rights enshrined in the Constitution.