MANSEHRA: Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi has said that competent judges would be posted to far-flung and hard areas so that people of these areas get justice without delay.

PHC Chief Justice Yahya Afridi visited District Courts Torghar, presently functioning in Oghi, and Tehsil Courts in Balakot on Saturday to meet judges and lawyers.

During discussion with members of bench and bar, he observed that far-flung areas should not remain underdeveloped as far as administration of justice to the already down trodden people of those areas was concerned. That is why, he said, he was going to post competent and good judges to hard areas.

As reward for services in these areas, initially district judges of hard districts are being sent abroad on scholarship and next year senior civil judges of these hard stations would be sent on scholarship to get exposure. The hard districts include Kohistan, Tank, Battagram, Shangla, Buner, Dir Upper and Chitral.

Justice Yahya Afridi vows to eradicate corruption in judiciary

Explaining the posting and transfer policy, Justice Yahya Afridi expressed his firm belief in transparency. He said that all the judicial officers would get place of posting as per policy devised by the administration committee of PHC.

The PHC chief justice said that corruption would be eradicated in the judiciary by making it an attractive service. He said that he was striving to ensure that each judicial officer get a house on retirement. Similarly, he added, he was in touch with other bodies for the purpose of getting health insurance for the judges and their families.

Justice Yahya Afridi said that both the steps would help to eradicate corruption in judiciary besides attracting the cream (young lawyers) of the province to opt for the profession. He said that corruption would not be tolerated at all and those with bad repute would be given a chance to mend their ways.

The PHC chief justice also directed the district and sessions judge of Torghar to consult with the district administration for setting up camp court there. Torghar is a new district, therefore, presently the administrative officers have yet to set up their offices there.

Justice Yahya Afridi also took up the issue put forward by members of Oghi Tehsil Bar Association that cases pertaining to Nadra may be filed in Oghi. He directed the Manshera district and sessions judge to transfer all such cases at the earliest.

Justice Yahya Afridi also ordered establishment of barroom in Oghi and libraries for Tehsil Bar Oghi and Torghar. He also visited the site of judicial complex in Oghi and said that all necessary arrangements would be made for early execution of the projects.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2017