BANNU, Oct 17: Chief Justice Peshawar High Court Ejaz Afzal Khan on Monday urged lawyers to rise above their personal interests by not pleading the cases of dishonest people and practise law in line with Islamic teachings.

After inaugurating the court's Bannu bench, the chief justice told participants of the function here that lawyers could pave the way for the country's bright future by fairly discharging their responsibility.

“Lawyers can bring a change in the society by inspiring the people with their character. They should educate the poor and vulnerable sections of the society on the ways and means to get justice. Instead of supporting a wrong cause, they should be symbol of virtue and work for it,” he said.

Justice Ejaz said normally, dispensation of justice was considered the court's job and rather, it was the responsibility of people from all walks of life to ensure it.

He said Islam focused on establishment of a just and impartial justice system with all its parts performing the assigned tasks responsibly and with their accountability by Allah in mind.

The chief justice said the Bannu bench's establishment was a step towards provision of speedy and inexpensive justice to the people of Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Karak districts on their doorstep.

President Peshawar High Court Bar Association Khawaja Muhammad Gara appreciated the bench's opening in Bannu and said it would help ease problems of local litigants.

“It is a landmark development in the judicial history of the province. It will guarantee dispensation of justice to the people without delay and close to their places,” he said, adding that judiciary was guardian of the rights of the people.President District Bar Association, Bannu Shah Hussain also welcomed the bench's creation, saying it will promote the cause of justice.

He thanked the president, the chief justices of Pakistan and Peshawar High Court, the current and former provincial chief ministers for their help and cooperation for the purpose and expressed the hope that the bench would soon have a separate building.

The function was attended by the advocate general Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, law officers, local district and sessions judge, judicial officers, office-bearers of district and sub-divisional bar associations, and a large number of lawyers from Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Karak.

Earlier, the chief justice heard some of the cases, which total over 2,100, to begin the formal functioning of the bench.