Categories Courts

SC Launches OLFC for Pakistanis Abroad

ISLAMABAD – While taking a significant step toward improving access to justice for Pakistanis living abroad. In a move aimed at addressing the long-standing challenges faced by overseas litigants, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi has announced and immediate establishment of the Overseas Litigants Facilitation Cell (OLFC).

This new initiative, based at the Principal Seat of the Supreme Court, is designed to serve as a dedicated resource for individuals residing outside Pakistan who have pending cases before the nation’s highest court. The OLFC will be managed by the Principal Staff Officer to the Chief Justice, ensuring a direct and streamlined approach to handling these matters.

On the complaint portal of the Supreme Court of Pakistan an Overseas Anti-Corruption Hotline has also been establish.

The creation of the OLFC comes in recognition of the difficulties overseas litigants often encounter, including logistical hurdles and delays in securing timely and convenient access to the legal system. By providing a centralized point of contact, the Supreme Court aims to bridge the geographical gap and ensure that distance does not stand in the way of justice.

How the OLFC Will Work

For the purpose of this new facility, an “overseas litigant” is defined as any person living abroad, regardless of their nationality, who has the right to approach the Supreme Court. The OLFC’s mandate is specifically focused on cases under the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and will not handle matters belonging to other courts.

The cell’s primary functions include:

  • Digital Submission: Facilitating the submission of petitions, applications, and grievances through digital platforms.
  • Expedited Hearings: Processing requests for early hearings of cases before the Supreme Court.
  • Case Updates: Providing electronic case updates and certified copies of court orders.
  • Record Keeping: Maintaining a digital record of all processed matters and submitting regular reports to the Chief Justice.

To ensure easy access, the OLFC can be reached through a dedicated WhatsApp number, +92 326 4442444, which is for messages only. Additionally, an online portal has been made available on the official website of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

This initiative underscores the judiciary’s commitment to modernizing the legal system and making it more accessible to all citizens, no matter where they are located. The OLFC is a direct response to the needs of the overseas Pakistani community, offering a new avenue for them to effectively pursue their legal rights from abroad.

Author

Khudayar Mohla, Managing Partner Mohla & Mohla, Founder of the Law Today Pakistan,

Managing Partner at Mohla & Mohla - Advocates and Legal Consultants, Islamabad, Founder of The Law Today Pakistan (TLTP) Newswire Service. Former President Press Association of Supreme Court of Pakistan with over two decades of coverage of defining judicial moments - including the dissolution and restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Asif Ali Zardari NAB cases, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani contempt proceedings, Panama Papers case against Mian Nawaz Sharif, matters involving Imran Khan, and the high treason trial of former Army Chief and President Pervez Musharraf. He now practises law and teaches Jurisprudence, International Law, Civil and Criminal Law. Can be reached at: mohla@lawtoday.com.pk

More From Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

khudayar Mohla, Justice Jawad Hassan,Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, Sheikh Rasheed Umrah travel ban, Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench, LHC Rawalpindi verdict, Anti-Terrorism Court Pakistan, Section 28-A Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, ATA passport impoundment, Justice Jawad Hassan, Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa, Intra Court Appeal Pakistan, ICA No 76 2025, Division Bench LHC, passport impounded by operation of law, freedom of movement Article 15 Constitution Pakistan, reasonable restriction fundamental rights Pakistan, Provincial National Identification List, PNIL Pakistan, Exit Control List Pakistan, ECL Pakistan, no estoppel against law Pakistan, judicial estoppel Pakistan, writ petition LHC, constitutional jurisdiction High Court Pakistan, Additional Attorney General Pakistan, Federal Investigation Agency Pakistan, FIA passport impounding, anti-terrorism law Pakistan, charge-sheeted accused travel ban Pakistan, ATC permission travel abroad, Umrah travel permission Pakistan court, legislative intent Section 28-A, mandatory legal presumption ATA, appellate jurisdiction LHC, Law Reforms Ordinance 1972, Pakistan terrorism trial travel restrictions, criminal justice Pakistan, passport impounding terrorism accused, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed court case, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed 2025 2026, LHC sets aside Umrah permission, Pakistan court ruling travel ban, Pakistan High Court anti-terrorism verdict

LHC Rawalpindi Bench Sets Aside Sheikh Rasheed’s Umrah Travel Order, Rules ATC is Sole Authority for Passport Impoundment Under Anti-Terrorism Law

RAWALPINDI: While interpreting the legislative intent behind Section 28-A of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, read…

Khudayar Mohla,Voice of America, Judge Royce Lamberth, USAGM, Kari Lake, federal court ruling, Donald Trump administration, VOA staff reinstatement, Michael Abramowitz, journalism vs propaganda, press freedom, federal administrative law, Sarah B. Rogers, Michael Rigas, DOJ judicial overreach, Article II authority, Elon Musk DOGE, Voice of America layoffs, US Agency for Global Media.

Federal Judge Overturns Trump Administration’s Staff Reductions at Voice of America

WASHINGTON: A federal judge on Tuesday ordered that the near shutdown of Voice of America…

Supreme Court Pakistan, death sentence commuted, schizophrenia mitigating circumstance, mental illness death penalty, Faryad Aoun Malik, Criminal Appeal 105/2023, Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Lahore High Court, Punjab Institute of Mental Health, Section 302(b) PPC, Qatl-i-Amd, Safia Bano v The State, child murder Pakistan, taveez ganda, triple child murder Lahore, insanity plea Pakistan, capital punishment Pakistan, human rights Pakistan, mentally ill prisoners Pakistan, Khudayar Mohla, Pakistan Supreme Court news 2025, Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar, Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, Tayyba Munir

SC Commutes Triple Murder Death Sentence on Grounds of Schizophrenia

ISLAMABAD: While commuting the death sentence of a man convicted for the murder of his…