ADDRESS ADDRESS By Syed Nasiruddin, President, Pakistan Legal Aid Association This gives me pleasure to welcome you, Sir, on behalf of Pakistan Legal Aid Association. Sir, this Association was founded with a view to provide free legal aid to the poor and needy litigants who could not afford to pay the fees of the advocates. Although no desired result‑ as expected could be achieved, nevertheless, the Association has been carrying on with some of the dedicated advocates in the country, who have responded to our call. The Association has been helping the litigants who have approached us, and we are glad to inform that some of the Hon'ble Judges of the High Courts have referred some persons to the Association for conducting their cases in Courts. It would not be out of place to mention that Mr. Justice Saleem Akhtar, Mr. Justice Tanzil‑ur‑Rehman and Mr. Justice (Retd.) Ibadat Yar Khan were pleased to refer some cases in which they found that the litigants being very poor could not engage any counsel while their cases were such which needed legal aid. Sir, this is also worthwhile to mention that this Association has got its representatives throughout Pakistan. Here, we may mention that no concentrated efforts could be made for want of funds and proper administration of the legal aid organization, as whatever has been done till now is the result of personal efforts of the individual members of the Association. Sir, it is high time that there should be a Legal Aid Foundation with an initial amount of at least Rs.5,00,00,000 (Rupees Five Crores on the pattern of Press Foundation, Writers Guild and other Foundations which should be manned by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Chief Justices of the Provincial High Courts and representatives of Central and Provincial Bar Councils. The foundation will disburse financial help from the income of the foundation to legal aid Centers set up in each Bar Association of the country. I would not stand between you and the Hon'ble Speaker of this evening and request him to address us.