She has no money for a lawyer. Where does she go?
Picture this. A woman in Lahore or Karachi wants a divorce, or her husband stopped paying for the children, or she is facing a case she did not understand. The lawyer she met wants a fee she cannot pay.
This happens to women all over Pakistan. The good news is that free legal help for women in Pakistan exists, and it is not a secret. This guide shows who provides it, what it covers, and how to reach them.
Is free legal aid for women a right in Pakistan?
The Legal Aid and Justice Authority, or LAJA, was set up under the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Act 2020. The Act was published in the Gazette of Pakistan on 24 March 2020. It extends to the whole of Pakistan.
LAJA provides legal, financial and other help to the poor and vulnerable, and the law names women and juveniles first. Its own mandate gives special preference to disadvantaged women and children, especially in cases related to sexual offences. Women who cannot afford a lawyer are the first people this body is meant to help.
The Act also repealed the old Women in Distress and Detention Fund Act 1996 and moved its funds into LAJA. So the single federal door for free legal aid in criminal cases is now LAJA.
What does LAJA cover?
LAJA focuses on criminal cases. It provides free representation for anyone charged with a criminal offence who cannot afford legal help. That includes minors and persons of unsound mind. If you are an accused woman without means, this is your door.
The application asks for your monthly income, your case type and your category: woman, child, person with disability, indigent person, or other. LAJA reviews it, and if you qualify, a panel advocate is assigned within 7 working days.
Apply online at laja.gov.pk or call 051-9201790. District services began in 2026 from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and more districts are being added.
Helplines that answer fast
Before you worry about forms, call a helpline. Two government lines give free legal advice.
1099, the Ministry of Human Rights helpline. This is a toll free number for the whole country. It gives free legal advice, counseling and referral for human rights violations. The Ministry says the helpline has received almost 1.5 million calls till May 2025 and handled around 60 thousand relevant cases. You can also write to [email protected]. See the official helpline 1099 page.
1043, the Punjab Women's Helpline. The Women Development Department of Punjab runs this toll free line for women in distress. It gives free legal advice and guidance on a wide range of issues. The department publishes it with one line: know your rights. See the official Women Development Department page.
Organizations that give women free lawyers
Government is not the only route. Some of the oldest legal aid work in Pakistan is done by private organizations.
The Asma Jahangir (AGHS) Legal Aid Cell. Named after the late human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir, this cell provides pro bono legal assistance to women seeking their rights under family law: maintenance, guardianship, custody, dissolution of marriage, dower, dowry articles and restitution of conjugal rights. It also takes criminal cases: bail applications, jail appeals, habeas corpus, and cases of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence. In 2023 alone it provided free representation in 1384 cases and free consultations to 5890 people. See the AGHS Legal Aid Cell page.
The Punjab Legal Aid Agency. Established in 2019 under the Punjab Legal Aid Act 2018, this agency helps indigent accused persons and women in family disputes: divorce, maintenance, dowry, dower and custody of children. It works under the Public Prosecution Department. See the official agency page.
Shelter homes that include legal aid
If a woman is running from violence and has nowhere to stay, the law of shelter matters too. In Punjab, the Social Welfare Department runs Dar-ul-Aman homes in all 36 districts. Each home takes 20 to 50 residents.
Any woman in distress can stay: victims of physical, psychological or sexual violence, and women facing threats to their life. Women can be admitted at any time of day or night, and they can bring their children. The homes provide institutional care, medical care, psychological support, security, and legal aid. The department even notifies a pool of lawyers each year to give legal help to residents. See the official Dar-ul-Aman page.
Family courts and court fees
Many women's cases are family matters: divorce, maintenance, custody, dower. These go to Family Courts set up under the Family Courts Act 1964. The court handles dissolution of marriage, dower, maintenance, restitution of conjugal rights, custody and guardianship.
The Family Courts (Amendment) Ordinance 2001 added important relief: an appeal against a decree of maintenance is exempted from court fee. That is one less barrier for a woman who needs to challenge a maintenance order. If you cannot pay the fee for a suit, ask the court to sue as a pauper. Our guide to free legal aid in Pakistan explains the pauper route and the bar council committees in detail.
Steps to take now
Step 1. If you are in danger, call 1099 or 1043 first, and go to the nearest Dar-ul-Aman if you need shelter.
Step 2. If you have a family law problem, contact AGHS Legal Aid Cell or the Punjab Legal Aid Agency. Both work on maintenance, divorce, dower and custody.
Step 3. If you are accused of a criminal offence, apply to LAJA online or call 051-9201790.
Step 4. Keep your documents ready: CNIC, nikahnama, and any paper about your case.
Violence at home has its own protections. See domestic violence law in Pakistan for protection orders and what to do. If property is being withheld from you, the women's inheritance rights in Pakistan guide covers your share and how to claim it. Browse all guides on the Lexiber blog, and start from the Lexiber home page for the free legal AI.
What it means for you
Free legal help for women in Pakistan is not a slogan. It is a law, a helpline, a shelter, and a set of lawyers who work without a fee. Start with one phone call. The rest follows. For help that works from home, see how to get legal help online in Pakistan with helplines and online portals.
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