Eid row hits judiciary

Published November 26, 2003

PESHAWAR, Nov 25: Like other segments of society, the superior judiciary here also fell prey to the confusion of Eid on different days.

While the Peshawar High Court and all subordinate courts remained closed on Tuesday, a Supreme Court bench continued hearing different cases here.

The Supreme Court’s bench, when the entire high court building was offering a deserted look, put the lawyers in an awkward position as most of them were celebrating Eidul Fitr.

As the NWFP government had announced public holidays on Tuesday, therefore the high court and all other courts across the province also remained closed.

“I offered Eid prayers in Hayatabad and rushed to the court to appear in a case before the Supreme Court,” informed a local lawyer.

He said that at least the Supreme Court’s administration should not have sent a bench to Peshawar on the day when there was a local holiday on account of Eidul Fitr.

The two-member Supreme Court’s bench comprised Justice Mian Muhammad Ajmal and Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza. Both of them hail from the NWFP. Justice Mian Ajmal belongs to Peshawar whereas Justice Raza belongs to Hazara region.