PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi on Friday announced the posting of another judge to the court’s Bannu circuit bench for early disposal of cases, raising its strength to two.

Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the office-bearers of the PHC Bar Association, Bannu bench, the chief justice said if the backlog increased, he would consider posting another judge to the PHC Bannu circuit bench.

He said a division bench would function for a week and the judges would sit in single-member benches in the subsequent week.

The CJ said both the bar and bench were integral parts of the judicial system and therefore, they had to work in coordination.

He also discussed with the executive engineer of communication and works department and the PHC director (planning) the matters related to the construction of the circuit bench’s building.

The two said work on the premises would be completed by Dec 31.

The CJ said he would ensure provision of more funds and human resources for the purpose if the need arose.

He later met local judges and discussed the ongoing reforms in district judiciary.

The CJ said a team of judicial officers was tasked with improving the delivery of judicial services to the people in the district.

Earlier, he was accorded a warm welcome by lawyers from Bannu and adjoining districts.

Newly-elected president of the PHCBA, Bannu bench, Ahmad Farooq Khattak, apprised the CJ of the lawyers’ problems and demanded necessary measures.

Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim of the PHC Bannu circuit bench also accompanied the CJ during the visit.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2017