Representatives from SHARP and the European Union delegation met senior prison officials in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to plan a joint intervention focused on improving legal aid, protection and access to justice for vulnerable detainees.
The meeting brought together Ms. Una Kelly, First Secretary for Rule of Law at the European Union Delegation to Pakistan; Mr. Muhammad Usman Mehsud, Inspector General of Prisons; and Mr. Amin Shoaib, DIG Prison Inspectorate. SHARP team members present included Mr. Mudassar Javed, CEO; Ms. Memoona Batool, Project Director; and Mr. Manzoor Ali, Manager Legal.
Officials discussed the planned project, Enhancing Access to Justice and Protection for Vulnerable Detainees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, outlining approaches to strengthen legal aid services and protection mechanisms across Khyber prisons. The partners emphasised a rights-based approach to ensure detainee welfare is anchored in legal safeguards and oversight.
Conversations explored collaborative capacity building for prison staff, targeted training, and development of community-institutional support systems to improve detainee access to justice. Stakeholders underlined the importance of coordinated action between government institutions, SHARP and the EU to implement sustainable interventions that respond to local needs.
The meeting set the groundwork for next steps in planning and coordination, with a shared focus on practical measures to enhance protection, legal representation and overall conditions for vulnerable detainees across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
