MANSEHRA: Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim on Saturday regretted that even 77 years after the country’s independence, people were still afraid of approaching courts and police stations to seek justice.

“We [judiciary] are supposed to deliver verdicts independently for the cause of justice but this will happen only when we will not make any compromise on the sanctity of judiciary and dignity of litigants,” Justice Ibra him told a function held in Oghi here to inaugurate the tehsil judicial complex’s building.

The participants included high court justices Ijaz Anwar, Mohammad Naeem Anwar, Mohammad Ijaz Khan, district and sessions judges Sadia Arshad of Mansehra and Ijaz Rasheed of Torghar and district police officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur.

The CJ urged courts and police to jointly work to eliminate hurdles to people’s right to justice.

He said members of the bench and bar had access to facilities unlike litigants, who lacked even sheds and benches in waiting areas.

“Every judicial complex should have toilets and other facilities for litigants as we’re enjoying this good status, salary and perks because of them,” he said.

Justice Ibrahimsaid the judiciary should strive to uphold justice through independent decisions.

He said modern buildings could attract people but didn’t end their deprivations.

The CJ complained about the rising backlog of court cases in the province and said over 60,000 cases were registered last year in Peshawar only.

He said police and lawyers should help the judiciary for speedy disposal of cases.

Justice Ibrahim said besides the judiciary, other segments of society should also work for the cause of justice.

Earlier, the CJ inaugurated the Rs160 million judicial complex building and planted a sapling on the premises.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024