PHC CJ wants early disposal of cases to ensure justice

MANSEHRA: Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim on Saturday said it was the job of the judiciary to provide justice to the people.

He said the judiciary should work to uphold justice through independent decisions. He was speaking at Tehsil Judicial Complex’s inaugural ceremony in Oghi.

The chief justice inaugurated the Judicial Complex Oghi, which was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs160 million. He also planted a sapling at its premises.

PHC justices Ijaz Anwar, Mohammad Naeem Anwar, Mohammad Ijaz Khan, district and session judges Mansehra Sadia Arshad, Torghar Ijaz Rasheed and District Police Officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur were also in attendance.

“There is a huge backlog of cases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Over 60,000 cases were registered in Peshawar alone last year. The police and legal fraternity should support the judiciary to ensure early disposal of the cases,” the chief justice said.

He said that justice didn’t mean that only the judiciary could come up to society’s expectations but it was the prime duty of every segment of society from parents to brothers and sisters to work under moral and legal obligations.

The chief justice said people were scared to visit courts and the police stations to seek justice.

“As many as 77 years have passed since this country came into existence but people are still afraid of going to courts and police stations for justice,” he said.

The chief justice asked the judiciary and police to do away with such a hazardous environment which could deprive people of justice and their fundamental rights.

“We are here to dispense people with justice and deliver verdicts independently but it could only be possible when we don’t compromise on the sanctity of judiciary and dignity of litigants,” Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim said.

The chief justice said that members of the bench and bar were enjoying all facilities but litigants were even without waiting sheds and benches.

“Make sure that every judicial complex has lavatories and other facilities for litigants as we have been enjoying such great status, salaries and perks just because of them,” Justice Ibrahim said.