ISLAMABAD: In a significant development aimed at addressing the legal grievances of Pakistani expatriates, the federal government has announced the establishment of Special Courts for Overseas Pakistanis as part of the Budget 2025-26.
According to budget documents and official statements, these courts will be designated to hear and resolve cases related to property disputes, inheritance claims, and other civil matters often faced by overseas citizens. The initiative is being hailed as a step toward ensuring justice and legal protection for the diaspora, which contributes billions annually in remittances to the national economy.
The decision is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen engagement with overseas communities and facilitate their connection with the homeland through streamlined services.
Federal officials stated that a comprehensive framework for these courts is being developed in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis. These courts are expected to operate under a fast-track mechanism, ensuring swift disposal of long-pending cases that have plagued overseas families for years.
Legal experts and overseas community leaders welcomed the announcement, calling it a “much-needed reform.” Some noted that access to justice is among the top concerns of overseas Pakistanis, especially those whose properties are illegally occupied or entangled in disputes.
The government also revealed plans to launch a digital grievance redressal portal linked to these courts, allowing expatriates to register complaints and track progress online.
The special courts will be set up in major cities with high volumes of overseas litigants, including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Peshawar, with possibilities for expansion depending on demand and caseloads.
This measure is part of the government’s broader commitment in Budget 2025-26 to strengthen institutional support for overseas Pakistanis, alongside proposed initiatives such as consular service reforms and investment facilitation programs.
