PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim has announced to consolidate and hear 2,500 pending contempt of court petitions collectively.

The decision came during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by a woman, Safia Bibi on Tuesday.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Waqar Ahmed expressed frustration with various government departments over their failure to submit responses in the case.

The CJ remarked that the court decisions were not being implemented, and this would no longer be tolerated.

He noted the alarming number of contempt petitions pending in the court, and ordered that all such cases be grouped for collective hearings to expedite justice delivery.

Justice Ibrahim further stated that the government officials would be summoned and held accountable. “Compliance with court orders is mandatory, and failure to do so would lead to contempt proceedings.”

The high court chief justice criticised the lack of seriousness shown by government officials, stating that officials had made a mockery of the courts. “Non-compliance with judicial orders will result in strict action.”

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2025