SWABI: The Dispute Resolution Council (DRC) in Swabi has settled 2,617 cases since its establishment in 2015, taking as little as one month for resolving each case.

Sources in DRC and police department told Dawn on Friday that a total of 3,934 cases were referred to the council -- 1,174 in 2015, 1,762 in 2016 and 998 until March 2017. They added 994 disputes were resolved in 2015, 1,253 in 2016 and 370 so far in the current year.

The sources said the disputes resolved included 897 cases of inheritance, 830 domestic, especially women-related issues, 747 financial issues, 33 blood feuds and 110 cases of other nature.

The sources said the overall percentage of issues referred and resolved by the DRC was about 66.5 per cent, which was an encouraging sign. They said the average time taken for disposal of a complaint was not more than a month, adding this became possible by vigorous efforts of DRC members and support of the police.

The sources pointed out that before the DRCs, minor disputes usually led to prolonged enmities between rival parties, who also had to suffer from lengthy and expensive litigation.

SECURITY REVIEWED: Commissioner Zakir Hussain Afridi and DIG Mohammad Alam Shinwari of Mardan division inspected security arrangements at prominent institutions and government buildings in the district the other day.

They visited the University of Swabi (UoS), Karnal Sher Khan Cadet College at Ismaila and Judicial Complex and police lines at Shahmansoor. They also met the DRC members and officials of various departments.

They also held talks with Swabi Deputy Commissioner Maitullah Khan and addressed the traders and lawyers in DC Jirga Hall. At UoS, they met with pro-VC Prof Mukhtiar Alam where they were told that the university management had beefed up security arrangements and closed-circuit TV cameras had been installed at designated places all across the buildings and academic units.

At Karnal Sher Khan College, they met with the management officials and academic staff. They also discussed the security measures with district and sessions judge Adil Khan at the judicial complex. The lawyers said that there was need for funds to install CCTV cameras and take other security measures at the complex.

Mohammad Sagheer, Swabi Bar Association general secretary said they demanded setting up of walkthrough gates at the judicial complex and security posts at different points of the building besides increasing the number of police staff deputed there. The lawyers were assured of adequate measures for their security.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2017