PHC CJ questions judicial performance

Justice Atiq Shah urges faster, accountable justice

PESHAWAR:

Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), Justice SM Atiq Shah, has expressed concern over the performance of Pakistan's judiciary, saying that the judicial system currently ranks among the lowest performers and that responsibility for improving it rests with everyone connected to the institution.

Addressing a ceremony marking the commencement of the new judicial year, the Chief Justice said the judiciary was taking steps to remove obstacles in the way of justice and ensure speedy relief for citizens.

"We are not merely concerned with disposing of cases; our objective is to ensure that litigants actually receive justice," he said.

The ceremony was attended by judges of the Peshawar High Court, the Advocate General, Additional Attorney General, President of the High Court Bar Association, Vice Chairman of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council, district judges and members of the legal fraternity.

Justice Atiq Shah said the number of pending cases in the High Court had been reduced from 38,000 to 34,000, while the Human Rights Cell had received 1,079 applications.

He said measures were also being taken to ensure transparency and accountability within the judiciary. "Unfortunately, Pakistan's judiciary is currently among the lowest in terms of performance. This is a matter of serious concern, and no one else is responsible for it; we all share the responsibility," he remarked.

Highlighting the financial burden of the judicial system, the Chief Justice said the judiciary's daily expenditure stood at Rs120 million, funded through taxes paid by the public.

"People are already suffering because of inflation. Many cannot afford two meals a day, yet when they come to court, they have to pay fees. We must realise that the money spent on the judiciary comes from the taxes of these poor people," he said.

He added that a one-day strike by lawyers resulted in the loss of approximately Rs120 million in judicial expenditure and urged both the bench and bar to recognise the suffering of the people.

Justice Atiq Shah particularly referred to the difficult situation in K-P's southern districts, which have been severely affected by terrorism, and said the judiciary and legal fraternity had a collective responsibility to resolve the problems of poor and vulnerable citizens.