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Sindh High Court

The Sindh High Court is the highest judicial court in Sindh, responsible for hearing civil, criminal, and constitutional cases within the province.

Court Cases

Internet Shutdowns and Access to Social Media

Case No.: C.P. No. 2403 of 2023
Court: Sindh High Court
Lawyer: Jibran Nasir
Status: Ongoing

PILAP filed proceedings before the Sindh High Court against relevant ministries and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority over disruptions to mobile internet, broadband services, and access to social media platforms in the run-up to the February 8 polls.

The petition raised concerns that restrictions on internet access and social media platforms directly affect citizens’ ability to communicate, access information, participate in public discourse, and exercise democratic rights. The Sindh High Court issued interim directions requiring that there should be no disruption or shutdown of mobile phone, internet, or broadband services unless the applicable legal provisions were properly invoked.

The matter remains an important digital rights case concerning lawful restrictions, transparency, and accountability in the regulation of internet access. 

Protecting Residential Neighbourhoods from Unlawful Commercialisation

Case No.: C.P. No. D-1538 of 2025
Court: Sindh High Court
Lawyer: Zahid F. Ebrahim
Status: Litigation Win/ Impugned notification withdrawn by SBCA

One of PILAP’s important urban governance success stories is its challenge to the controversial amendments made by the Sindh Building Control Authority to the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations, 2002. The case was filed before the Sindh High Court as C.P. No. D-1538 of 2025, with PILAP, in collaboration with Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment and concerned citizens, challenging changes that could have allowed commercial activities inside residential areas. 

The case raised a simple but important public interest question: can a public authority quietly change the character of residential neighbourhoods without lawful authority and without protecting the rights of the people who live there?

PILAP’s petition argued that SBCA had exceeded its legal powers by altering the meaning of “residential use” and introducing “recreational use” in a manner that could permit cafes, restaurants, food courts, and similar commercial activities on residential plots. PILAP highlighted that such changes would disturb peaceful neighbourhoods, increase traffic, noise, waste, parking pressure, and utility load, while affecting the safety, privacy, and quality of life of residents.

This case was important because it was not only about buildings or land use. It was about the right of citizens to live in safe, peaceful, and properly planned communities. PILAP used its platform to bring together concerned residents and public-spirited citizens who wanted to protect Karachi’s residential areas from unplanned commercialisation.

When the petitions came up for hearing, SBCA informed the Sindh High Court that it had reviewed and reconsidered its earlier decision. SBCA then formally withdrew the impugned notification that had introduced the controversial amendments. The Court took SBCA’s statement and the withdrawal notification on record, and because the challenged notification had been reversed, the connected petitions were disposed of.

Read Judgement/Order here: 

https://caselaw.shc.gov.pk/caselaw/view-file/MjY2NzA2

Enforcement of Article 25-A / Free and Compulsory Education

Case No.: C.P. No. 1267 of 2016
Court: Sindh High Court
Lawyer: Muhammad Najeeb Jamali
Handled by: Dr. Amjad Waheed
Status: Ongoing 

PILAP filed this petition before the Sindh High Court to seek implementation of Article 25-A of the Constitution, which guarantees free and compulsory education for children. The case focuses on the State’s obligation to ensure access to education for children between the ages of 5 and 16.

The petition has led to meaningful engagement with government authorities and education stakeholders. The Sindh High Court directed the Government of Sindh to work with PILAP for the enrolment of out-of-school children in private schools. PILAP was also made part of a Court-appointed process to assist in developing a provincial education plan.

As part of the wider reform effort, PILAP representatives contributed to consultations with UNICEF and the School Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, on improving enrolment and addressing the challenge of out-of-school children. 

During the proceedings, the Education Department reported several measures, including the rollout of a Teachers Attendance App in selected districts, development of a Student Attendance Monitoring System in collaboration with NITB and PITB, reopening of 4,936 schools, and disciplinary action against 1,355 absconding teachers. The Court also examined concerns around teacher absenteeism, with attendance data showing gaps that required further investigation by the Education and IT Departments.

A key focus of the proceedings has been the use of digital monitoring systems to improve accountability in the education sector. The IT Department reported that district-wise attendance features had been added to the NITB app and were being tested in seven districts. Training for more than 4,000 teachers on the biometric attendance app was also initiated, with the remaining training and record updates expected to continue.

By November 2023, the parties proposed that related petitions be separated by subject matter so that each issue could be heard and addressed more effectively. The matter remains significant for ensuring implementation of Article 25-A, improving school governance, reducing teacher absenteeism, protecting vulnerable children, and strengthening access to education across Sindh.

Read Judgement/Order here: 

https://cases.shc.gov.pk/khi/web/index.php?r=cases%2Fview-judgments&casecode=213389

PIA Crash Victims and Aviation Safety Reform

Case No.: CP No.3744 of 2020
Court: Sindh High Court
Lawyer: Amel Khan Kansi, MTC
Status: Ongoing 

PILAP initiated proceedings seeking proper compensation for victims and affected businesses following an aviation crash, along with broader reforms to prevent future accidents and improve safety processes within PIA.

The case is ongoing and reflects PILAP’s focus on aviation accountability, institutional responsibility, and public safety. It seeks to ensure that victims and affected families are treated fairly, while also pushing for improvements in aviation safety systems so that similar tragedies can be prevented in the future.

Seaview Development Project

Case No.: C.P. No. D-640 of 2022
Court: Sindh High Court
Lawyer: Advocate Zubair Ahmed Abro
Status: Ongoing / Construction halted by court order

PILAP, along with concerned citizens, challenged development activity at Seaview Beach, Karachi, undertaken by Cantonment Board Clifton without the required environmental approvals.

The petition raised two key concerns: first, that coastal development without environmental approval poses serious risks to the marine and coastal environment; and second, that such development may restrict access to an otherwise open public beach by making it exclusive to certain segments of society.

The Sindh High Court halted construction activity through its order dated 14.03.2024. A Court Nazir later conducted a survey regarding illegal construction, and the report was placed before the court. PILAP has also initiated contempt proceedings regarding alleged violation of court directions. 

Oversee Committee / SBCA Governance

Case No.: C.P. No. 3286 of 2024
Court: Sindh High Court
Lawyer: Advocate Basil Malik
Status: Ongoing

This petition concerns the effective functioning of the Oversee Committee under Section 4-B of the Sindh Buildings Control Ordinance, 1979. The Oversee Committee is meant to ensure transparency, regulatory compliance, and lawful supervision of building control and town planning matters in Sindh.

PILAP’s involvement supports efforts to address illegal construction, arbitrary regulatory practices, and repeated interference in the constitution and functioning of oversight bodies. The petition seeks to ensure that the Oversee Committee operates under proper terms of reference and is able to perform its supervisory role effectively.

The case is significant for urban governance, public accountability, and the protection of citizens affected by unlawful construction and weak enforcement of building laws. 

Amenity Plots / KMC Auction

Case No.: C.P. No. 4196 of 2024
Court: Sindh High Court
Lawyer: Advocate Basil Malik
Status: Ongoing / Stay order granted

PILAP challenged the auction and proposed commercial use of amenity plots that were designated for public use. The petition questions whether such plots can lawfully be converted or sold for commercial purposes in violation of planning laws, public trust principles, and judicial precedents.

The Sindh High Court granted a stay order dated 03.08.2024, preventing further development or commercial activity on the disputed plots until the matter is finally decided.

This case is part of PILAP’s broader work on protecting public spaces, preventing misuse of amenity land, and ensuring that land reserved for public benefit is not converted for private or commercial gain. 

Lloyd’s Bank Heritage Building

Case No.: C.P. No. D-3823 of 2017
Court: Sindh High Court
Lawyer: Advocate Zubair Ahmed Abro
Status: Ongoing / Stay granted

PILAP challenged proposed alterations to the historic Lloyd’s Bank building in Karachi, a protected heritage site notified by the Government of Sindh. The petition was filed after an NOC was issued permitting alterations to the building, raising concerns about the protection of cultural heritage and compliance with heritage preservation laws.

The case relies on legal protections under heritage and antiquities laws, as well as constitutional guarantees relating to lawful treatment, life, dignity, and cultural rights. PILAP’s position is that protected heritage sites cannot be altered or compromised without strict adherence to law and public interest considerations.

This matter highlights PILAP’s commitment to preserving Pakistan’s architectural and cultural heritage for future generations.

Use of Khoji Devices at Airports

Case No.: C.P. No. D-977 of 2019
Court: Sindh High Court
Lawyer: Abdul Moiz Jaferii
Status: Follow-up application filed

PILAP challenged the use and supply of fraudulent bomb detector devices, known as “Khoji” devices, by aviation security authorities. The petition questioned the manufacture, licensing, and use of such devices by the Airports Security Force and raised serious concerns regarding public safety and airport security.

The court directed that a detailed inquiry be conducted into the matter. PILAP later used Right to Information mechanisms to seek updates on the inquiry and its findings. When the response received was found to be unsatisfactory and inconsistent with the court’s directions, PILAP filed a further application in the disposed petition asking the court to require compliance and place the inquiry findings before it.

This case reflects PILAP’s role in challenging unsafe public security practices and demanding evidence-based standards in matters affecting public safety. 

Read Judgement/Order here: 

https://caselaw.shc.gov.pk/caselaw/view-file/MTQyMTgy

Independence of Police Force

Case No.: C.P. No. D-6382 of 2019
Court: Sindh High Court
Lawyer: Faisal Siddiqui
Status: Litigation Win

PILAP supported litigation challenging political interference in the posting and transfer of senior police officials. The case addressed concerns that executive interference weakens the independence, professionalism, and effectiveness of the police force.

The Sindh High Court struck down amendments that gave primacy to the Chief Minister in the posting of senior police officers and held that the Chief Minister’s role was advisory. The judgment was an important step toward strengthening police independence and reducing political interference in law enforcement.

This case reflects PILAP’s commitment to institutional reform, rule of law, and independent public administration. 

Read Judgement/Order here: 

https://caselaw.shc.gov.pk/caselaw/view-file/MjAwMjk2

Empowering her Rights: A Digital Revolution in Women’s Rights

Project Virasat-e-Haqooq is a comprehensive strategic initiative designed to
protect and enforce the inheritance rights of women through advanced
technological and legal reforms.
Running from 2026 to 2028, the framework aims to eliminate systemic
dispossession by integrating blockchain-backed ledgers and GIS
mapping to track and secure land transfers.
The initiative focuses on closing the gap between death registrations and
property mutations while actively challenging the coerced relinquishment of
land known as Tanazul.
By utilizing class action litigation and public advocacy, the project seeks to
hold state revenue authorities accountable for negligence and record
tampering.
Ultimately, the strategy works to transform female inheritance into
an automated, tamper-proof legal right supported by transparent data and
independent legal counsel.
This multidimensional approach combines digital rights, educational
campaigns, and rigorous institutional oversight to ensure female heirs receive
their rightful entitlements.

Project Taalim: Strategic Framework for Reforming Pakistan’s Education System

This outlines a multifaceted strategy to enhance the Pakistani academic
framework through both structural and social reforms.
It emphasizes the necessity of increased financial investment and the
implementation of modernized teaching standards to foster better learning
outcomes.
The visual identifies specific goals, such as bridging gender gaps in schooling
and integrating advanced digital technologies into the classroom.
Furthermore, it advocates for stricter institutional oversight and collaborative
efforts between the state and private entities to ensure long-term progress.
By focusing on curriculum innovation and university-level research, the
source presents a comprehensive roadmap for national educational
development.

Project Shifa: Thelessemia Free Future: Ensuring Rights, Saving Lives

Project Shifa is a comprehensive legal and social initiative designed to safeguard
the rights of Thalassemia patients through institutional reform.
The program seeks to mandate advanced blood screening technologies via court
orders to prevent the transmission of infections during transfusions.
Furthermore, the strategy involves lobbying for tax exemptions on medical
supplies and establishing a centralized national database to accurately track the
prevalence of the disease.
A major pillar of the project is the implementation of compulsory pre-marital
genetic testing to curb the hereditary spread of the condition.
By holding the government accountable through litigation and policy advocacy,
the initiative aims to make life-saving treatment affordable and accessible for all
families.
These efforts collectively work toward a future where preventative laws and
healthcare standards protect the most vulnerable citizens.

Mechanizing Sanitation and Securing Worker Dignity

Project Safai, is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to ending the hazardous
practice of manual scavenging in Pakistan.
The strategy focuses on mechanizing sanitation by replacing human labor with
locally manufactured low-cost robots and specialized machinery.
Beyond technology, the project aims to transform laborers into business
owners through cooperatives, significantly increasing their monthly income and
legal protections.
A critical component of the plan includes a digital tracking system to monitor
safety logs and verify worker health before maintenance begins.
By targeting a nationwide mandate for machine-led cleaning by 2026, the
initiative seeks to eliminate workplace fatalities and restore human dignity to
minority workers.
This multifaceted approach is supported by various welfare organizations and
legal advocacy groups to ensure long-term institutional change.

Project Saaf Pani: Karachi Coastal Regeneration Strategy

This initiative outlines Project Saaf Pani, an ambitious initiative designed to
restore Karachi’s coastal ecosystem through community-led oversight and modern
technology.
The strategy emphasizes hybrid governance, utilizing local “Coastal Watch”

teams and a “Digital Toxicity Map” to hold industrial polluters accountable via real-
time data and legal action.

To address contamination, the plan proposes nature-based solutions, such as
using seaweed for bioremediation, which simultaneously cleans the water and
creates economic opportunities for fishing families.
By filing Public Interest Litigation and transparency requests, the project aims to
mandate the installation of waste treatment plants across industrial zones.
Ultimately, these efforts seek to transform the harbor by combining legal advocacy,
scientific research, and public awareness campaigns to eliminate marine pollution.

This comprehensive framework focuses on measurable outcomes to ensure the long-
term health and economic viability of the region’s maritime environment.

Project Rahbar: Reforming Pakistan's Juvenile Justice System

Project Rahbar is a comprehensive initiative designed to reform Pakistan’s
juvenile justice system by ensuring the legal and physical protection of minors.
The project aims to end the incarceration of children in adult facilities by
enforcing existing laws, such as the Juvenile Justice System Act of 2018.
Key strategies include operationalizing local justice committees,
integrating digital age-verification systems with national databases, and
establishing specialized observation homes managed by NGOs.
Furthermore, the initiative seeks to eliminate financial barriers to justice by
providing legal aid and bail support for impoverished youth.
Through litigation, advocacy, and social media campaigns, the project focuses
on shifting the legal framework from a punitive approach to one centered
on rehabilitation and child welfare.

Project Rabta: A Blueprint for Digital Rights and Accountability

Project Rabta outlines a comprehensive strategic framework aimed at
establishing stable internet access as a protected civil right in Pakistan.
The initiative utilizes a combination of strategic litigation, legislative
advocacy, and public transparency to hold the national regulator accountable
for service disruptions and shutdowns.
Key milestones include securing a landmark court ruling by 2026 to
link connectivity with the right to trade and mandating automatic
consumer refunds for poor service quality.
By leveraging Right to Information requests and independent expert
veriDication, the project seeks to challenge government data and
ensure corporate accountability for connectivity standards.
Ultimately, the plan empowers citizens through social media activism and
educational workshops to demand a more transparent and reliable digital
infrastructure.

Project Qanooni-Infaaz: Bridging the Judicial Implementation Gap

Project Qanooni-Infaaz is a strategic judicial reform initiative designed to bridge
the gap between legal victories and actual enforcement on the ground.
The program outlines a multi-year roadmap starting in 2026 to
identify government bottlenecks and use aggressive litigation, such as contempt
proceedings, to force state compliance.
By utilizing RTI applications and public audits, the project aims to expose
administrative inertia and hold speciBic ofBicials accountable for ignoring court
orders.
Ultimately, the initiative seeks to integrate judicial directives into permanent
policy and standard operating procedures within state departments.
To ensure long-term success, a dedicated Judicial Compliance Unit will be
established to provide continuous monitoring and public updates on the status of
high-impact reforms.
This systematic approach ensures that court-ordered protections for human rights
and safety are fully realized rather than remaining mere paper triumphs.

Project Muhafiz-e-Cyber: Decentralised Child Protection Strategies

Project Muhafiz-e-Cyber is a comprehensive strategic framework designed to
combat online child sexual exploitation through decentralized monitoring and
improved legal pathways.
The initiative aims to empower local communities and schools by establishing
“Cyber Watch” units and “Safe Screen” centers to bridge the gap between reporting
and formal investigations.
By implementing digital reporting kiosks and automated computer systems, the
project seeks to eliminate geographical barriers and administrative inefficiencies
that often lead to lost abuse reports.
Through a combination of targeted litigation, public advocacy, and social media
campaigns, the strategy works to dismantle the social stigma surrounding digital
crimes.

Ultimately, the project strives for official government recognition of community-
led monitoring and the integration of secure, trauma-informed support systems

within the educational landscape.

These efforts are focused on ensuring swift justice and continuous protection for
young victims in the digital age.

Systemic Reform of Nikah Nama Registration

Project Muhafiz-e-Haqooq is a comprehensive initiative designed to
safeguard women’s legal rights within marriage contracts through systemic
reform and digital modernization.
The project aims to eliminate the unauthorized removal of vital contractual clauses,
such as the right to divorce, by transitioning to a mandatory digital registration
system for marriage officers.
These efforts are supported by professional certification requirements and
biometric verification to ensure registrars are held legally accountable for their
duties.
Additionally, the initiative focuses on financial autonomy by pursuing litigation
that holds the state liable for administrative errors that deprive women of
their dowry or inheritance.
Through widespread educational campaigns and university workshops, the
project seeks to empower brides with the knowledge necessary to
negotiate informed consent.
Ultimately, the strategy combines legal advocacy, technological solutions, and
social awareness to ensure the Nikah Nama serves as a protected legal document
for all women.

Project Mahfooz: A Framework for Pakistan’s Digital Rights Reform

Project Mahfooz is a strategic initiative designed to establish a robust data
protection framework in Pakistan by securing the enactment of comprehensive
privacy laws.
The initiative seeks to elevate personal privacy to a fundamental human right,
ensuring that state digital systems integrate “Privacy-by-Design” principles from
their inception.
Through a combination of legal advocacy, research, and litigation, the project
aims to hold both government and private entities financially accountable for
security breaches and data negligence.
Furthermore, it focuses on creating an independent regulatory body to oversee
data usage and eliminate the digital exclusion caused by administrative errors in
identity systems.
By 2028, the program intends to reduce the arbitrary blocking of citizens’ services
and guarantee that personal information is treated with the dignity it deserves.

Project Adliya: Accountability and Access to Justice

Project Adliya is a comprehensive strategic framework designed to transform the
legal system by increasing judicial accountability and expanding public access to
justice.
The initiative seeks to implement a public reporting system by 2026 to track
court spending and the resolution of citizen complaints.
To decrease the burden of high legal costs and long delays, the plan proposes the
establishment of mediation centers and the operationalization of alternative
dispute resolution laws.
A significant portion of the project focuses on vulnerable populations, aiming to
secure pro bono legal services and create dedicated support centers for
women within court complexes.
Through a combination of public interest litigation, data-driven research,
and social media advocacy, the project intends to make the judiciary more
transparent and affordable for all citizens.