Islamabad (GNP) — Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA), with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), has successfully launched a three-day Mobile Legal Aid Clinic from April 28 to April 30, at St. Francis Catholic Church. The initiative aims to provide free legal aid, assistance, and counseling to vulnerable segments of society, particularly women and the Christian community.
The Mobile Legal Aid Clinic brings together a team of experienced legal experts, including Farah Naz Awan Advocate (Former Attorney General for Pakistan), Khawaja Zahid Nasim (Legal Advisor, PODA), and Aiman Zahra (Law Officer, PODA).
The team is offering legal guidance on a range of issues, with a special focus on the recent amendment to the Christian Marriage Act (Amendment) 2025, which sets the minimum marriageable age for both parties at 18 years. Previously, the legal age was 13 years for girls and 16 years for boys. PODA team distributed informative brochures on the Christian Marriage (Amendment) Act 2025 among the attendees.
On the first day of the clinic, April 28, approximately 63 attendees, mostly women approached the facility seeking redressal of their grievances. The PODA legal team provided legal advice and facilitated referrals to relevant government institutions to ensure the effective resolution of their cases. Khawaja Zahid Nasim also conducted an informative session on the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan, highlighting accessible procedural mechanisms for addressing legal complaints and explaining recent legislative developments.
Participants of the camp appreciated PODA’s efforts, stating that access to legal services at their doorstep is highly beneficial, particularly for marginalized communities with limited access to justice.
Informational brochures were also distributed among attendees to enhance awareness of legal rights and available support mechanisms.
Saleema Munir, Director Program at Youth Development Association, Rawalpindi, visited the clinic and shared practical insights on resolving legal matters. She encouraged women to confidently claim their legal rights and commended PODA for organizing such initiatives in underserved communities.
Sarwat Jahan, Director Program at PODA, emphasized that the organization remains committed to providing legal awareness and services to marginalized and rural women. She briefed that despite limited resources, PODA continues to extend such legal aid services across various parts of the country.
PODA has a long history of dedication to empowering vulnerable communities through legal awareness, advocacy, and access to justice, and this Mobile Legal Aid Clinic is another step toward ensuring that no community should be left behind.
