DRCs resolved 6,000 out of 8,000 cases they took up in 2018

Rest of cases sent to legal forums or are under process reducing burden on courts

PESHAWAR: The Dispute Resolution Councils (DRCs) established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for resolution of disputes have received 8,828 complaints in the current year related to various types of disputes.

The DRCs resolved 6,208 of disputes peacefully while 1,423 disputes were sent to the concerned forum for legal action. Another 1,197 disputes are being proceeded with.

According to available document, a council was established initially in Peshawar for resolving small disputes of common people amicably

After its initial encouraging success with effective results in resolution of disputes and the growing confidence the people reposed in them its domain will now be extended to the entire province.

To date DRCs have been formed all over the province. More people are approaching these councils for resolving their small issues and disputes. The basic purpose of forming these councils for resolution of disputes was to provide the common people with swift and immediate justice free of cost. Another purpose was to find a peaceful resolution to disputes so that crimes do not occur.

This would then promote peace, harmony and brotherhood in the society. On the other hand, the public and especially the poor public would no longer need to approach police stations and courts and rather focus their skills and resources on positive and constructive work. This would enable society to embark on a path of development and prosperity.

The immediate resolution of 8,828 disputes lessened the burden on courts. The charter of the council for resolution of disputes is based on Quran and Sunnah which has been derived from Surah Al-Hijrat.

Among these councils, 444 cases in Peshawar district; 1,086 in Mardan, 256 in Nowshera, 129 in Charsadda, 1,392 in Swabi, 315 in Swat, 259 in Kohat, 128 in Karak, 150 in Hangu, 134 in Lakki Marwat, 310 in Buner, 115 in Upper Dir, 42 in lower Dir, 14 in Chitral, 175 in Shangla, 3 in Tor Gar, 118 in Abbotabad, 292 in Haripur, 283 in Mansehra 26 in Batagram, 167 in D I Khan and 370 cases in Bannu were resolved in harmony and peacefully.

Among the responsibilities of these councils are the peaceful resolutions of disputes, conducting inquiry to learn the facts, and working as a jury in the investigation. It must be made clear that the public of the entire province has expressed confidence on the role and performance of these councils and have termed them an important source of free and quick justice.

As up to today there are four councils each working in Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi and Swat. Another three councils each are working in Peshawar and Charsadda. Two are working in Chitral and one each in other districts of the province.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2018.