PESHAWAR, Nov 18: The newly-appointed Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan stated here on Friday that he would try to introduce mobile courts for resolving family disputes and petty nature cases so that justice could be provided to disadvantaged people at their doorstep.

During his maiden visit to the bar room on the invitation of Peshawar High Court Bar Association, Justice Dost Mohammad Khan told media persons that there were several things on his priority list on top of which was to follow policy of zero tolerance towards corruption in the judiciary as well as other government departments.

The chief justice pointed out that they would harshly deal with the judicial officers and staff found involved in any irregularity and at the same time judicial officials with exemplary performance would be rewarded. He added that he would revive the previous reward programme for judicial officers.

The chief justice pointed out that they had been contemplating to introduce mobile courts so that judges along with their staff would visit different areas so as to resolve petty nature cases as well as issues related to family courts.

Replying to a query, the chief justice stated that trials in most of the criminal cases were delayed as the concerned police officials and doctors had not been appearing for recording evidence. He stated that they would evolve a policy so that the testimony and cross examination of these two categories of witnesses could be recorded in the initial hearings.

Similarly, the chief justice stated that delay in 70 per cent of civil cases was because of the patwaris and other revenue officials who had not been appearing in these cases.

He asked the lawyers' community to support the judiciary in its struggle against corruption and reducing the backlog of cases. He added that he had himself remained member of the bar for 26 years would hope that the bar would support them for ensuring speedy and cheap justice to the people.

Earlier, when the chief justice arrived at the bar room along with other judges he was awarded a warm welcome. PHCBA president Khwaja Mohammad Gara, secretary general Ameenur Rehman and other lawyers thanks the chief justice for his visit.