PESHAWAR, July 29: Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court Tariq Pervez Khan said on Saturday that lack of resources had produced a debilitating affect on the quality of justice in the country.

“Not only the functioning of courts stands weakened but financial constraints have also made an impact on the way litigants approach courts to seek justice,” the chief justice said while chairing a consultation workshop organised by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan on the Access to Justice Development Fund (AJDF).

He said there was limited understanding among stakeholders of the nature, objectives, procedures, eligibility criteria and operational requirements of AJDF.

“I am of the view that this fund has the potential to offer solutions for those chronic problems which remained neglected for long period of time due to shortage of finances, such as insufficient capacity of subordinate courts, deteriorating standards in legal education, rising vulnerability in society, poor research culture and inadequate judicial training facilities,” Justice Tariq said.

He observed that the Law and Justice Commission was working hard to fulfil its obligations towards operationalisation of AJDF, particularly in respect of generating income proceeds from investment and further allocation and disbursement of share of each sub-fund.

Law Commission joint secretary Malik Mohammad Iqbal gave a briefing about the AJDF’s purpose, justification and operational procedures.

The participants put forth suggestions to make AJDF operations more accessible, efficient, accountable and transparent.