Dhaka: The National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO) has extended government-funded legal assistance to 131,219 prisoners nationwide from 2009 to August 2025. This initiative aims to support underprivileged citizens seeking justice.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the information was revealed in a report published on NLASO’s website, which detailed the legal support provided during the specified period. The report highlighted that a total of 12,82,997 individuals have benefited from this service, which is dedicated to offering legal support to justice-seeking citizens.
The programme initially launched at the district level and now encompasses all 64 districts of the country. It operates through district legal aid offices, the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office, labour legal aid cells in Dhaka and Chattogram, and a national helpline call centre (toll-free: 16430). Among the beneficiaries, 29,529 received support via the Supreme Court Legal Aid Office, 10,12,777 through the district offices, 29,529 through labour legal aid cells, and 189,896 through the helpline.
The report also noted that NLASO has been implementing this initiative under the Legal Aid Services Act, enacted in 2000. This Act is focused on providing free legal aid to financially insolvent, distressed, and justice-seeking citizens. The organization operates under the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs as a government-run service entity.