PHC CJ orders reactivation of courts in Waziristan, Tank

PESHAWAR: The Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, Ishtiaq Ibrahim, has issued directives to reactivate courts in South Waziristan and Tank.

Courts in these districts were relocated to nearby districts due to attacks on judicial officers, abductions, and deteriorating security situation.

However, the provincial government has assured the PHC that complete security would be provided to judges and courts.

According to a notification issued by the PHC registrar, judicial officers and relevant officials have been instructed to resume court proceedings in their respective districts.

It said that district and session judges and senior civil judges from South Waziristan and Tank had been directed to return to their respective district courts and start judicial proceedings.

These judges had been working in Dera Ismail Khan due to security concerns, but with an improved security situation, they have now been instructed to resume their duties in their respective districts. It may be mentioned that due to the deteriorating law and order situation, courts from South Waziristan and Tank were relocated to Dera Ismail Khan on October 2, 2024.

A writ petition was also filed in the PHC seeking security for judges and courts. The petition was heard, and in light of the court’s directives, meetings were held under the supervision of the PHC registrar with officials from the Home Department, police and other relevant departments.

During these meetings, decisions were made about the security of judges and courts across the province, including the provision of bulletproof vehicles to every circuit bench of the PHC and other important steps to ensure their security.