PHC seeks replies on crumbling roads

Court orders 24-hour police deployment; raises alarm over security gaps and rising accidents in K-P

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday issued notices to the provincial government seeking replies over petitions regarding the deteriorating condition of roads in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Peshawar High Court Justice SM Atiq Shah and Justice Muhammad Ijaz Khan heard the writ petitions. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioners, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel, and officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA) appeared before the court.

As the hearing on roads in Chitral commenced, the petitioners' lawyer informed the court that roads in Chitral are in extremely poor condition, resulting in frequent accidents.

The NHA counsel told the court that due to financial constraints, the government has adopted an austerity drive, and police have not been deployed on Chitral roads.

Chief Justice Justice SM Atiq Shah remarked that it is the responsibility of every citizen to demonstrate a sense of duty. "Nowadays, anyone who possesses a weapon has become a mafia," he observed.

Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel informed the court that the provincial government has released Rs21 billion for the purchase of modern weapons for the police. The Chief Justice responded that the overall situation remains extremely alarming, with five to six policemen being martyred daily.

The Advocate General submitted that the situation is improving compared to the past. However, the Chief Justice noted that the NHA has raised serious questions over the absence of security personnel on roads after 5pm, despite court orders.

The bench directed the authorities to ensure round-the-clock (24-hour) presence of police personnel on all roads, particularly in the southern districts of the province, for the protection and safety of the public.

The Chief Justice further directed that a meeting under the chairmanship of the Advocate General should be convened to resolve all pending issues. He emphasized the need for proper traffic management plans and strict compliance with previous court orders regarding the provision of all facilities."Technology reaches terrorists before it reaches the police," the Chief Justice remarked, highlighting the security challenges.

The Advocate General also informed the court that the Chief Minister has released funds for the police well ahead of schedule.