PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice SM Attique Shah referred a contempt of court case against a member of the Kabal Bar Association to a bench headed by Justice Ijaz Anwar after the lawyer submitted an unconditional apology.
During the hearing, the chief justice observed that the lawyer had made serious allegations against the judiciary but failed to provide evidence when asked, leading to the issuance of a contempt notice.
However, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that the lawyer had submitted himself to the court’s mercy and filed an unconditional apology, requesting leniency.
The chief justice remarked that efforts were being made to eliminate “black sheep” from the judiciary and to reform the police system. He revealed that in recent months, around 20 judicial officers from grades 18 to 21 had been dismissed for violating the code of conduct, and action had also been taken against members of the prosecution.
He added that the system had been strengthened, and it was now the responsibility of lawyers to play their role.
Addressing the legal community, he said that the judiciary had empowered the police, and transfers would no longer take place on the directives of politicians, including lawmakers, governors or ministers. During the proceedings, Liaqat Ali advocate submitted his unconditional apology before the court. KP Bar Council member Ahmad Farooq Khattak informed the court that action had also been taken against 33 lawyers.
The chief justice emphasised that investigation officers would no longer be allowed to make mistakes and urged the bar council to decide whether to prioritise votes or systemic reform.
In response, a bar council member stated that court interventions often suspend notices or show-cause actions issued by the council. The chief justice said that Rs6 billion had been secured from the provincial government to strengthen the judiciary.
He also mentioned that previous issues of corruption involving police in land-grabbing cases had been addressed, eliminating the practice of intermediaries taking money within the judicial system.
