GSC Law

22/12/2021

We are on the verge of achieving (previously) unattainable heights under Ms. Sana Khurshid's leadership and vision.

InshAllah

16/07/2021

Yesterday, our firm conversed with CIty 42 News on the Advisory Committee formed by Vice-Chairman LDA S.M. Imran to adequately address and promote the accessibility needs for persons with disabilities.

The Committee has not only sought insights from wheel-chair users, but also persons that are hard of hearing, and hard of sight.

Similarly, the LDA is in the process of conducting thorough surveys to ensure provision of ramps within public buildings in their jurisdiction.

The whole movement emanates from a Petition lodged by activist Sana Khurshid, who is an integral part of the Advisory Committee, whereby she has sought for not only LDA, but also other development/municipal entities within Lahore to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Meaningful legislative drafts have been proposed to address and improve accessibility for persons with all forms of disabilities, and we are confident that they will be incorporated into future LDA Regulations.

Finally, based on the Vice-Chairman LDA's recommendations, proposals have also been made to/for the Traffic Engineering & Planning Agency (TEPA) to improve pedestrian accessibility/mobility within the city of Lahore.

01/06/2021

Yesterday, the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) held its inaugural meeting between the Members of the Committee to increase access to public facilities for persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

LDA has proactively lodged a thorough survey to implement existing regulations that provide for provisions of ramps and toilets for PwDs.

Similarly, we deliberated reforms for various forms of disabilities (e.g., visual/hard of hearing impairment persons), which include audio/visual signages within buildings. In this regard, representatives from various segments of PwDs were present to share disadvantages they currently face in access, so that we could introduce meaningful regulations. In the next meeting, more representatives will be included to ensure their voices are meaningfully incorporated.

Finally, major reforms within private housing and public transportation were also analyzed, in line with fulfilling the VC LDA Mr. S.M. Imran's ambitious initiative of making a pedestrian friendly Lahore. In this regard, architects, lawyers, and PwDs discussed, and will propose reforms imminently(e.g., extended footpaths, slopes, ramps within public transportation).

All these proposals, and implementation of existing regulations, have been made possible by Members being on the same page with noble intent, objectives, and purpose, under the leadership of Mr. S.M. Imran.

The whole movement emanated from Honorable Justice Jawad Hassan's prompt directions in pursuance of our Petitioner, Sana Khurshid regarding enforcement of rights for PwDs in public spaces, and it will only stop when the entire city of Lahore becomes quantifiably accessible in a meaningful capacity for all persons, in line with the Constitution, and all its enabling rights.

25/05/2021

Under the guidance & leadership of the esteemed Mr. S. M Imran VC LDA, I am happy to announce the formation of an Advisory Committee to bring reform and enforce existing laws regarding inclusion of persons with all kinds of disabilities and provide for their meaningful access to public facilities.

"Sana Khurshid Versus Govt. of the Punjab etc." GSC Law

21/05/2021

A 2018 Comprehensive 'Child Care Report' which dealt extensively with protection, security, and access to meaningful life for children/persons with special needs, was accepted by Hon' Justice Jawad Hassan in our writ petition for rights of differently-abled persons.

Regrettably, this Report has not been acted/implemented upon in letter or spirit by the State functionaries, yet. We are here to change that.

We are confident that the State functionaries will act in sincere collaboration with Sana Khurshid to implementing tangible change in plight of persons with disabilities.

13/03/2021

17/11/2020

Social media and internet regulation in Pakistan.

21/10/2020

We at GSC Law are excited to announce our affiliation with the Law Offices of Zainab K. Rizvi, a highly-reputed U.S. law firm providing Immigration & Nationality law services for matters including:
- Employment Based/Work Visas,
- Investor Visas,
- Family Based Visas,
- Green Cards, and
- Naturalization matters.

Visit the firm website at www.zkrlaw.com.

22/09/2020

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40019978/can-pakistan-introduce-public-hangings-and-castration-for-r**e-and-sexual-crimes

Our latest article, this time on Pakistan's International Law obligations with respect to such envisioned legislation.

Adopting such laws is complicated and may expose Pakistan to further problems on the international front.

10/09/2020

In 2014, a 21-year-old female teacher was gang-r**ed in Punjab. Despite public and media outcry, a few months later the victim's father settled with the family for Pk Rs. 3 million.

What does this tell us?

R**e victims will continue to suffer from State's systematic lack of resources, training and will-power in investigation, counseling and prosecution against r**e offenders. With a high burden of proof for r**e allegations and lengthy proceedings, victims eventually take-back their cases out of fear, lack of agency, intimidation, shame, lack of evidence, and/or lack of support from families.

The State often tries to shy away from making difficult, but important reforms. For instance, in the matter of 8-year-old Zainab's r**e and murder, the State broadened the definition of 'terrorism' for speedy results before the special yet controversial Anti Terrorism Courts. This is because the State knew that ordinary Criminal Procedure would not favor speedy/effective results in a crime of r**e, and would also leave room for settlement between private parties.

A change to the evidentiary laws is necessary in order for real progress in r**e-law reform. Similarly, there needs to be active law-making by State to disable 'settlement' of such allegations, where cases are not dropped simply because a male guardian desires it to happen on behalf of the victim.

Finally, in a patriarchal society, women are constantly marginalized, even to the extent that they do not feel comfortable approaching a police station to register even a complaint. This leads to male member(s) of family taking over the matter, dealing with authorities, and ultimately deciding on behalf of the victim. Investigative agencies need to be more diverse, approachable, and less morally corrupt to enable better accessibility.