Oath-taking ceremony: CJ underscores transparency in all matters

Attributes independent and free judiciary to lawyers’ efforts.

MANSEHRA:

Higher judiciary would never support any unconstitutional and undemocratic action at any cost. This was state by Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Dost Muhammad Khan while addressing lawyers and judges at the oath-taking ceremony of Mansehra District Bar Association (MDBA) on Friday.

He said that independent and powerful judiciary was the outcome of lawyers’ struggle, forcing a dictator to go home. He added that the continuity in the democratic order in the country was the result of that very effort, adding that if the fair and transparent elections were held on time, the people would elect the next democratic government in a better way.

Referring to recovery of looted amount in the country, the CJ said that Supreme Court (SC) has recovered billions of looted money and deposited it in the national exchequer.



Furthermore, he said that recommendations for filling the vacant posts of 108 judges were sent to the government but have not been implemented yet. He added that since Hazara, Malakand and Swat were affected by an earthquake and floods, the PHC would ensure additional posts of judges for these areas.

He said that the construction work on the judicial complex in Mansehra would start by June while an electronic library at provincial level was being established at a cost of Rs20 million which would help lawyers and judges to have electronic access to all the rulings of high court and Supreme Court. Moreover, he announced Rs100,000 for MDBA.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9^th, 2013.