Malakand Division: Darul Qaza established but remains judgeless
Lawyers announce boycott of regular courts till the govt appoints judges.
SWAT:
The long-standing desire of the people of Malakand Division for the establishment of Darul Qaza has been fulfilled but the Shariah court thus far remains without a judge and is therefore non-functional.
Darul Qaza has been set up under the Nizam e Adal Regulation a controversial act approved by President Asif Ali Zardari after receiving parliamentary approval on April 13, 2009.
It was inaugurated by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti on February 18. On that occasion, he had expressed his delight, terming it a day of rejoicing for the people of Malakand Division.
However, although the government has established a Shariah court, it is yet to start working as no judge has been appointed yet.
Taking exception to this delay, lawyers announced a boycott of regular courts, demanding the quick appointment of judges for Darul Qaza.
“The boycott will go on for seven days. We will continue our protest until judges are appointed to Darul Qaza,“ said Swat Bar Association President Asghar Khan, adding that de spite repeated promises by the government, no serious efforts have been made for the appointment of judges.
“If they fail to appoint them within seven days, we will call a general body meeting to work out our future strategy,“ Khan added.
“Our demands are not illegal; we simply want judges to be appointed in Darul Qaza,“ said Advocate Shilmani.
“What is the point of establishing Darul Qaza if there is no judge?“ Regarding the functionality of Darul Qaza, Shilmani said, “Everything in Darul Qaza, such as the services, clerks and other staff, is ready, but it is on standby due to the delayed appointment of judges.“
He added that other benches in areas like Abbottabad and Dera Ismail khan are functioning on a regular basis.
Regarding the appointment of judges, Additional Advocated General Ikram Khan told The Express Tribune, “Currently, Peshawar High Court is short of judges as well and the process of the appointment for new judges is under way. Soon, Darul Qaza will be functional with the appointment of two judges."
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2011.
The long-standing desire of the people of Malakand Division for the establishment of Darul Qaza has been fulfilled but the Shariah court thus far remains without a judge and is therefore non-functional.
Darul Qaza has been set up under the Nizam e Adal Regulation a controversial act approved by President Asif Ali Zardari after receiving parliamentary approval on April 13, 2009.
It was inaugurated by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti on February 18. On that occasion, he had expressed his delight, terming it a day of rejoicing for the people of Malakand Division.
However, although the government has established a Shariah court, it is yet to start working as no judge has been appointed yet.
Taking exception to this delay, lawyers announced a boycott of regular courts, demanding the quick appointment of judges for Darul Qaza.
“The boycott will go on for seven days. We will continue our protest until judges are appointed to Darul Qaza,“ said Swat Bar Association President Asghar Khan, adding that de spite repeated promises by the government, no serious efforts have been made for the appointment of judges.
“If they fail to appoint them within seven days, we will call a general body meeting to work out our future strategy,“ Khan added.
“Our demands are not illegal; we simply want judges to be appointed in Darul Qaza,“ said Advocate Shilmani.
“What is the point of establishing Darul Qaza if there is no judge?“ Regarding the functionality of Darul Qaza, Shilmani said, “Everything in Darul Qaza, such as the services, clerks and other staff, is ready, but it is on standby due to the delayed appointment of judges.“
He added that other benches in areas like Abbottabad and Dera Ismail khan are functioning on a regular basis.
Regarding the appointment of judges, Additional Advocated General Ikram Khan told The Express Tribune, “Currently, Peshawar High Court is short of judges as well and the process of the appointment for new judges is under way. Soon, Darul Qaza will be functional with the appointment of two judges."
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2011.