PESHAWAR, May 14: Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan on Monday said though the country couldn’t afford luxuries, the rulers were busy lavishly using national wealth and running the country’s affairs on foreign loans.

Speaking as the chief guest at the 1st Judicial Clerks’ Convention at the Radio Pakistan Hall here, the chief justice said lavish spending by the rulers should come to an end and everyone should render sacrifices for the survival of the system.He said if the government cut unnecessary expenditure 50 per cent, people could get a ‘comprehensive package of facilities.’

Justice Dost Mohammad highlighted the role of judicial staff in speedy dispensation of justice to people and said they had a key role to play while working on very sensitive matters. He said any irresponsible behaviour on part of judicial staff could bring a bad name to the entire judiciary.

The chief justice said the country needed sacrifices and everyone should be ready to play due role for the people’s welfare. He said the country faced different kinds of conspiracies and internal and external threats and therefore, it was the duty of all citizens to work for its protection.

Justice Dost Mohammad said under the current circumstances, it was the duty of all to hold themselves accountable for their actions.

“When we go to bed, we should hold ourselves accountable as to what we did for the country’s welfare,” he said, adding that self-accountability was the best act towards reformation.

The chief justice said the country could speedily progress if everyone spared at least one hour to work for the country.

“It has always been our effort to work as a team without discrimination and favour for provision of justice to people on their doorsteps. In this respect, I am thankful to the lawyers of the province,” he said.

He urged the president, prime minister, chief ministers and governors and heads of all government departments to realise their duties and work for the people’s welfare.

District and sessions judge, Peshawar, Shabir Khan, Peshawar High Court registrar Subhan Sher, PHC Bar Association president Abdul Lateef Afridi, vice president Babar Khan Yousufzai, Peshawar district bar president Wakeel Zaman, Judicial Clerks Association president Mohammad Sareer Khan, judicial officers, leaders of clerks association and a large number of clerks attended the convention.