New appointments: Nine judges take oath as PHC justices

ATC summons police officer over press conference following arrest of suspected militant.


Our Correspondent March 07, 2014
On February 14, the National Judicial Commission recommended the confirmation of the nine PHC judges and extension of the two additional judges for six months. PHOTO: INP

PESHAWAR: Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court Mian Fasihul Mulk administered oath of office to nine newly-confirmed judges on Thursday, taking the total number of confirmed judges working in different benches to 15.

The confirmed judges include Justice Asadullah Khan Chamkani, Justice Irshad Qaiser, Justice Shah Jehan Akhunzada, Justice Roohul Amin, Justice Abdul Latif Khan, Justice Malik Manzoor Hussain, Justice Ikramullah Khan, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Lal Jan Khattak.

The ceremony was held at PHC’s courtroom number one and was attended by Justice Mazhar Alam, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Nisar Hussain Khan, Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan, Justice Syed Afsar Shah and Justice Muhammad Daud. PHC Bar Association President Ishtaiq Ibrahim and other senior lawyers were also present on the occasion.

Despite the confirmation of nine judges, three posts of permanent judges are still lying vacant at the court whereas Justice Muhammad Daud Khan and Justice Afsar Shah are serving as additional judges.

On February 14, the National Judicial Commission headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani recommended the confirmation of the nine PHC judges and the extension of two additional judges for six months. The recommendations were sent to the parliamentary committee on judges for final approval.

Judge summons ASP over presser

Anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge Syed Asghar Ali Shah took notice of a press conference in which Gulbahar Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dr Mustafa Taveer presented Adil Khan, who was arrested with explosive materials, before the media on March 4.

“When the inspector and learned public prosecutor were questioned about their action both failed to answer properly. Therefore, the ASP has been summoned to explain as to what was the urgency of the press conference,” the order of court read.

It further stated that in view of the court, a press conference is not required by a government servant while discharging his duties as it carries a negative image of the nation at the international level. “It is also a matter of concern that such conferences bring defamation to our society besides alerting the co-accused of crime, providing them an opportunity to go underground and remove incriminating articles from approachable places,” the order added.

Adil, a resident of Mohallah Toto Khel, was arrested on March 4 with explosives. He was handed over to the police for two days on March 5 and will be produced in the ATC today (Friday).

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2014.

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