Dhaka: The National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO) has successfully provided legal assistance to a total of 183,736 individuals through the national helpline call center, operating under the toll-free number 16430, as part of the government’s legal aid initiative.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a report published on the NLASO website reveals detailed insights into the legal support extended since 2009, continuing through to February 2025. Initially, the NLASO service was limited to district levels but later expanded to include the Supreme Court, the Workers’ Legal Aid Cell in Dhaka and Chattogram, as well as prisons nationwide.
The report specifies that from 2009 to February 2025, 183,736 beneficiaries received legal assistance funded by the government through the toll-free call center, 16430. Prior to the establishment of this national helpline, legal information services were accessible to 17,328 individuals via a hotline. The helpline officially launched in 2016, marking a significant expansion of government-supported legal aid.
This initiative operates under the ‘Legal Aid Act’ and is designed to offer legal support to financially challenged and vulnerable individuals seeking justice. The National Legal Aid Services Organization functions under the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.