Judicial complex attack: PHC chief justice reveals attackers were identified

Speaks at a farewell luncheon held in his honour.

PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan on Tuesday claimed an inquiry was conducted on the attack at the Peshawar Judicial Complex which claimed four lives and left 29 others injured on March 18 last year.

The outgoing judge was speaking at a farewell lunch organised by paralegal staff of lower courts in his honour. The chief justice also said the culprits were identified and it was revealed that the mastermind behind the attack was based in the tribal areas, whereas two others accused in the case were located in Punjab.

“The Constitution has been abrogated in the last sixty years and if this practice is not altered then the situation will never normalise. The economy of the country is under corrosion and it is the government’s responsibility to announce a clear policy to deal with this crisis,” Justice Khan told participants at the luncheon.

Justice Khan lamented the fact that injustice has risen in the society, leading to an overburdening of the courts. Fifteen attacks have been reported on the judiciary so far, all of which were foiled. He said the investigation of the judicial complex attack had been conducted by the judiciary itself.

“Under article 25 of the constitution, every citizen of the country including the president is equal under the law. We have increased the morale of the police force in the province after their Shuhada package was increased,” Justice Khan reflected.