Bar-bench collaboration must for quick justice: PHC CJ

HARIPUR: Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court (PHC) Mazhar Alam Miankhel said here Saturday the bench and bar should work in collaboration to protect the independence of judiciary that was imperative for dispensation of speedy justice and supremacy of law.
Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of the District Bar Association, he said some elements were against the independence of judiciary and there were apprehensions that they were conspiring against the system.
Stressing the need for coordination and hard work on the part of the judiciary and lawyers, the PHC CJ said that difficult decisions would have to be taken to improve the performance of the judiciary.
The bar and bench would have to join hands to remove the obstacles in the way of speedy and inexpensive justice, he maintained.
About the shortage of judges at the district level, he said the appointments would soon be made across the province.
Praising the role of the Haripur Bar Association in the independence of judiciary, he urged the lawyers and judges to maintain the prestige of the profession at every cost.
The PHC CJ said the judges and lawyers at district level would have to work to the best of their abilities to serve the people.
About the lack of space for the courts and lawyers, he said that judicial complexes were being constructed throughout the province.
He said that a new judicial complex was being constructed on 66 kanals of land in Haripur. “We would have two conference halls, a multipurpose hall, an auditorium, separate cabinet offices and electronic library.
The chief justice said that 74 percent of work had been completed while the remaining would be done till May next year.
He said that a piece of land was being acquired for building the bar association that would finalise it in consultation with the district and sessions judge. He said portion of land would be spared for the parking lot.
The chief justice asked the district and sessions judge Haripur to send him a proposal for increasing the number of oath commissioners in the district.
The newly elected President of District Bar Association Khursheed Azhar also addressed the gathering.
Earlier, the PHC CJ administered oath to the office-bearers of the association.
Justice Qazi Muhammad Ghazanfar, President of Supreme Court Bar Association, Fazle Haq Abbasi, District and Sessions Judge Farhatullah Khan and administrative officers were also in attendance on the occasion.