Farewell: Outgoing PHC CJ says he always followed merit

PESHAWAR: The outgoing Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) Muhammad Ibrahim Khan said on Sunday that he always defended the law and Constitution through his verdicts.

“I lost my promotion due to a few verdicts that I took as a judge which were, otherwise, as per law and the Constitution. But that is my achievement as I defended the law and the Constitution in all circumstances,” he said while speaking at a farewell.

The function was arranged by the PHC to say goodbye to him as April 14 was his last day in office.PHC Acting Chief Justice-designate Ishtiaq Ibrahim, senior puisne judge Justice Ejaz Anwar, other PHC judges, district courts, judicial officials, KP Bar Council, Peshawar High Court Bar Association representatives and senior lawyers attended the programme.

The outgoing PHC chief justice said he worked throughout his career for the dispensation of justice and the rule of law. “I always delivered judgments on merit and did justice even at the time where there was political instability and precarious security situation in the province,” said Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Khan who had to face criticism over his verdicts in cases about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders.

The outgoing PHC chief justice said it was an honour for him to have worked with other judges and performed his duties well. “I have to face multiple challenges. The reforms in the judiciary and coming up to the expectations of the people were on the top,” he added.But Justice Muhammad Ibrahim Khan said he overcame these challenges with the help of his fellow judges and kept the judicial affairs transparent.

The outgoing chief justice said he decided several high-profile cases at a time when KP was facing lawlessness and political instability. “I stood like a rock as my priority was the rule of law in KP and upholding the Constitution,” he elaborated.

Justice Ibrahim said he made use of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system as well to decide the civil and criminal cases. “The ADR is attracting appreciation all over the world as it is the best way to resolve disputes between the parties,” he said and requested the next chief justice to strengthen the ADR system.

Justice Ibrahim expressed best wishes for Acting Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and hoped that he would continue to work for the dispensation of justice.PHC Acting Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim reciprocated the statement and paid rich tributes to the outgoing chief justice for playing a role in upholding the rule of law. He promised to follow merit and carry on the struggle for the rule of law.