Pakistan’s Supreme Court has established a dedicated cell for its diaspora in the UAE, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and other regions to address legal issues, enabling overseas Pakistanis to directly contact the nation’s highest court.
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has ordered the immediate creation of the Overseas Litigants Facilitation Cell (OLFC) to ease the legal challenges faced by Pakistanis abroad, ensuring quick and easy access to justice.
The OLFC is based at the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s main office, overseen by the Chief Justice’s Principal Staff Officer (PSO).
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A press release stated that the cell serves as a dedicated contact point, offering essential assistance to overseas litigants within its mandate. For convenience, the OLFC can be reached via a dedicated WhatsApp number (+92 326 4442444, text only) and an online portal on the Supreme Court’s official website.
This facility focuses solely on Supreme Court-related issues and does not cover other courts’ exclusive jurisdictions.
Essential relief
Overseas Pakistanis often face significant legal challenges, particularly with property rights, and this new cell provides vital support.
Currently, over 1.7 million Pakistanis reside in the UAE, with 4.7 million across GCC countries, and around 10 million globally.
According to law and regulations, the OLFC will:
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Enable the digital submission of petitions, applications, and grievances
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Facilitate processing of early hearing requests at the Supreme Court
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Offer case updates and provide certified order copies electronically
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Keep a digital record of all processed cases and submit periodic reports to the Chief Justice of Pakistan
The OLFC will specifically address pending cases of overseas litigants under the Supreme Court’s appellate jurisdiction and will not handle matters related to other courts, according to the statement.
