PHC CJ inaugurates e-citizen grievances redressal system

Initiative has been launched in collaboration with the World Bank.

PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan on Thursday inaugurated the Human Rights Directorate’s (HRD) newly introduced e-citizen grievance redressal system in collaboration with the World Bank.

The new system will now allow people in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to file their grievances online, which will then be taken up by the directorate and be addressed in the shortest possible time with zero costs to the complainant.

Addressing a gathering following the inauguration, Justice Khan said the Constitution guarantees justice to all and Articles 8 to 28 clearly state inexpensive and speedy justice be provided. All those violating human rights will be brought to justice, he added.



Highlighting the success of PHC’s HRD, he said that since the creation of the PHC in 1970, there was no specific institution to address human rights complaints. People would approach the courts through writ petitions, which were costly and time consuming, he pointed out.

The HRD was established in 2009 and decides majority of the cases within 72 hours. The directorate is providing judicial services to poor litigants that could not even be expected in the West, claimed Justice Khan. He added the PHC is planning to establish universal access numbers and provide transportation facilities as well.

Meanwhile, lawyers continued boycotting court proceedings and refused to appear before the courts for the third consecutive day, considering the initial three-day strike called by the K-P Bar Council over the attack on the Judicial Complex ended on Thursday. The courts will resume routine hearings from today (Friday).

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2013.