ISLAMABAD – The Federal Criminal Prosecution Service (FCPS) Wednesday inaugurated the Federal Prosecution Centre for Professional Development (FCPD) at its headquarters in Blue Area, Islamabad, to strengthen prosecutorial capacity and reinforce the rule of law across Pakistan’s criminal justice system.
Federal Prosecutor General Ghulam Sarwar Nihung presided over the inauguration ceremony while senior prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Pakistan were also present, reflecting the close institutional partnership that underpins the initiative.
The newly established centre is equipped with modern training facilities, a dedicated legal research library, information technology resources, and professional development infrastructure designed to support federal prosecutors in addressing increasingly complex legal and criminal challenges.
Legal experts have long called for specialised training and continuous professional education for prosecutors, particularly since the establishment of an independent federal prosecution framework under recent legal reforms.
Among the distinguished guests were Troels Vester, Country Representative of UNODC Pakistan, and Farhan Nawazish, Programme Officer of the UNODC Counter-Terrorism Programme – their presence underscoring the growing partnership between Pakistan’s prosecution authorities and international organisations committed to strengthening criminal justice institutions.
UNODC representatives reaffirmed their support for justice sector reform in Pakistan, with Vester stressing that investing in prosecutorial institutions is a cornerstone of an effective criminal justice system.
Strengthening the professional capabilities of prosecutors contributes directly to enhancing accountability, safeguarding due process, and promoting public confidence in legal institutions. – Troels Vester, Country Representative, UNODC Pakistan
Addressing the gathering, Federal Prosecutor General Nihung reiterated the department’s commitment to building a professional, capable, and independent prosecution service at the federal level, describing the centre as central to the FCPS’s broader vision of ensuring high-quality legal representation for the state and improving prosecutorial effectiveness across all tiers of the judiciary.
The development of a skilled and well-tr ained prosecution service is essential for the fair administration of justice and the effective enforcement of criminal law. – Ghulam Sarwar Nihung, Federal Prosecutor General
The inauguration comes amid broader efforts to modernise Pakistan’s criminal justice architecture through capacity-building initiatives, specialised training programmes, and institutional reform. The FCPS was created to ensure an independent prosecutorial function, separate from investigative agencies, and to uphold prosecutorial standards from trial courts to the superior judiciary.
Stakeholders expressed hope that the centre will better equip federal prosecutors to meet emerging legal challenges, strengthen case management practices, and contribute more effectively to the delivery of justice across Pakistan.
