Courts as Workplaces: Building an Inclusive Litigation Ecosystem

Building an inclusive litigation ecosystem in Pakistan requires transforming courts not only asforums for cases but as workplaces that reflect fairness and equality. This essay examinesreforms needed in the Pakistani judiciary’s institutional structures and culture. Key strategiesinclude revising appointment and promotion rules to improve diversity, enforcing organisationalaccountability (e.g. clear anti-harassment policies and mentorship programs), and conductinggender or accessibility audits of court infrastructure. Recent analyses by civil society andinternational bodies highlight stark gender gaps and infrastructure barriers in Pakistan’s courts.We draw on policy briefs and reports to demonstrate how targeted reforms and sustainedoversight can enhance the representativeness and accessibility of courts for all.