HARIPUR: Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court Justice Yahya Afridi has said that the judicial reforms are aimed at providing inexpensive justice to the needy people. He said merit was the pillar of a strong judicial system, which cannot be sacrificed on the altar of quota system.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Haripur Bar Association here on Tuesday evening, he said that the bar cooperation was necessary for the effective and durable judicial process in the province. He said he preferred to consult lawyers on judicial issues, because it strengthened the system.

Justice Afridi said institutions mattered more than personalities because the institutions paved way for the future generations, while personalities, which revolved systems around themselves, didn’t leave a permanent legacy. He said it was his keen desire to strengthen the institution with the cooperation of fellow lawyers.

Responding to the points raised by Malik Asadullah, President Haripur Bar Association, Justice Afridi said that the under-construction Judicial Complex, Haripur, would be completed by Dec 2017. He said the complex would be having all the basic requirements, including a dispensary for the lawyers and the employees of subordinate courts.

He said, “At present, we need Rs12 billion for various projects, but we are short of funds. But, we have decided to complete all those projects which are near completion.” He said all the under-construction judicial complexes would have equal facilities.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2017