KARACHI: Chief Justice of Sindh High Court Ahmed Ali M Sheikh on Wednesday said with a strong democratic and judicial system, the country will not face any threat. Addressing the annual dinner of the Sindh High Court Bar Association at the SHC lawn, the chief justice said that corruption has destroyed the society and people should struggle against corruption as Jihad, lest it is too late. He said the country is not facing any external threat now and will not confront any if it has a strong democratic and judicial system. He complained about lack of proper utilization of funds in federal and provincial government departments. The chief justice said that bench and bar could collectively make efforts to reduce pendency of cases in courts. He said that more than 70% of criminal appeals have been disposed of and now appeals of 2016 and 2017 are being regularly heard. He expressed concern over the condition of prisoners in jails and said that appeals of many prisoners are pending for over 10 years. Regarding the jurisdiction of the Sindh High Court in civil nature cases, he said that bar will be consulted and an appropriate decision will be taken in the interest of judiciary and the public. He appreciated the bar councils and association for assisting the courts in resolving the issues. President SHCBA Shahab Sarki highlighted the issues being faced by the lawyers in courts and requested the chief justice to decide the cases of prosecutors expeditiously. Secretary SHCBA Kashif Paracha also spoke.
