CJ assures litigants of maximum relief

Says PHC working overtime to overcome backlog

PESHAWAR:

Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim has stated that the court is prioritising providing relief to litigants, and he is personally overseeing the work.

He emphasised resolving long-pending cases, particularly civil cases, to ensure justice during the litigants' lifetimes. "This cannot be achieved by us alone; all stakeholders must play their role," he said.

During a hearing at the Peshawar High Court, the CJ revealed that daily case data is being collected from all districts, identifying areas with higher backlogs. Cases pending since 2015 have been prioritised and resolved, with plans to address cases from 2015 to 2020 next. He noted that criminal appeal hearings are now addressing cases from 2024.

"Our judges are working diligently. Stakeholders must also prioritise delivering justice to litigants. We are doing everything we can to ensure no litigant is deprived of justice," he stated. He added that post-26th Amendment, certain cases cannot exceed the requested relief, but efforts are being made to provide the maximum possible relief. Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing.

Bails extended

Also, the Peshawar High Court approved the transit bail requests of PTI leader and National Assembly Opposition Leader Umar Ayub, as well as MNA Shandana Gulzar, instructing them to appear before the relevant courts.

Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim heard Umar Ayub's application, represented by Advocate Alam Khan Adeenzai. The lawyer informed the court that the applicant, as the National Assembly opposition leader, faced charges filed after the November 24 protest. Ayub sought transit bail to appear in the relevant courts. The bench granted Umar Ayub one month's transit bail and directed him to appear in the concerned court.

Similarly, the court heard MNA Shandana Gulzar's transit bail application, approving her request and instructing her to appear before the relevant court by January 21.

Sentenced to life

Peshawar Additional District and Sessions Judge Talha Muhammad Khan sentenced accused Muzrab Shah to two life imprisonments and a fine of Rs1 million rupees in a case involving the 26-year-old murder case of an officer from the advocate general's office.

The incident occurred in the jurisdiction of Budhbir Police Station due to old enmity. The court also issued perpetual arrest warrants for two co-accused, Karamat Shah and Ibrahim, directing the police to apprehend them and present them before the court.

During the hearing, the complainant, Barrister Ameerullah Chamkani, informed the court that on January 23, 1997, the accused Muzrab Shah, Karamat Shah, and Ibrahim opened fire in the jurisdiction of Budhbir Police Station, killing Tahseenullah and Akhtar Munir over a previous enmity. Initially, Tahseenullah was injured but later succumbed to his injuries. He was a private secretary at the advocate general's Office.

The complainant further stated that an eyewitness to the crime was present, and their statement had been recorded by the police. He also noted that, to date, only one accused, Muzrab Shah, had been arrested, while the other two remain at large. He urged the court to impose a severe punishment on Muzrab Shah and ensure the arrest of the other accused.

On the other hand, the defense lawyer argued that while two people were killed, the allegations involved three accused. It was not clearly established that the victims died from the firing by the present accused, Muzrab Shah. Therefore, he requested the court to acquit his client.