The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has constituted a five-member larger bench, headed by Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah, to examine widespread flaws and deficiencies in the province's criminal justice system. The decision came during hearings on multiple public interest petitions highlighting serious shortcomings in police investigations, prosecution, forensic services, and the overall mechanism of delivering justice.
According to the court's 20-page order, the bench will specifically review issues such as delayed registration of First Information Reports (FIRs), weak police investigations, prolonged trials, lack of independent forensic laboratories, and ineffective coordination among the police, prosecution, judiciary, and prison authorities. The court has sought written comments and proposals within 14 days from all relevant stakeholders, including the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General, Additional Attorney General, Inspector General of Prisons, Director General Prosecution, and heads of various bar councils and associations.
The petitions were filed by lawyers Barrister Amirullah Chamkani, Shabbir Hussain Gigyani, Sahibzada Riazul Haq, and others. They argued that persistent flaws in the justice system have deprived citizens, particularly the poor and marginalized, of their constitutional right to fair trial and timely justice. Petitioners pointed out that police often delay the submission of challans, prosecutors fail to take cases seriously, and courts struggle to conclude trials within reasonable timeframes. As a result, innocent citizens face wrongful charges, fabricated evidence, and unreliable testimonies, leaving them disillusioned with the justice system.
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