PHC CJ stresses thorough police probe before case submission to courts

HARIPUR: Chief Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Khan of the Peshawar High Court Thursday emphasised on the importance of upholding the rule of law and asked the police to register and forward cases for trial to the courts only after a thorough investigation.

Speaking to a gathering here on Thursday, he said the police must ensure fairness and justice for both the complainant and accused during the probe. Judges from the Abbottabad bench of PHC, district judiciary, law officers, and members of the High Court and district bar associations attended the event.

About the qualities of a judge, the chief justice Khan said he or she must be God-fearing, kind, bold, and have high moral standards. He encouraged judges to treat lawyers and complainants with respect and foster a close relationship between the bar and the bench.

In response to the demand for judges’ appointments, he stated that elevations would be based purely on merit. “According to a Hadith, those appointing judges would receive 70,000 blessings from God for each decision made by the appointee, provided it is based on the principles of justice. Conversely, if a judge is selected against merit, the appointee would be responsible for subsequent wrong judgments and suffer the consequences, as per the Hadith,” he added.

Discussing the problems of the judges’ staff, he said he wanted to bind them by oath, preventing their involvement in any form of gratification or greed. He warned that failure to comply would result in disciplinary action.

Earlier, the chief justice inaugurated the bar club in the old building of district courts and a new office for lawyers. During a visit to the consumer court, Presiding Officer Muneera Abbasi briefed the CJ about ongoing cases.

Plans were announced to relocate revenue courts and labour authorities to the old building. Moreover, the CJ announced the provision of two computers, internet facility, and digital lab with the required staff for the new judicial complex.