MINGORA, May 10: Fulfilling the long-standing demand of the people of Malakand division, Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan inaugurated the Darul Qaza – the PHC's Mingora circuit bench – here on Tuesday.

On this occasion, the chief justice also presided over a single bench and heard 23 cases, thus making the bench functional. The office of additional registrar has already been established with 26 staff members. So far, 125 cases have been instituted directly in the Darul Qaza while about 3,000 cases relating to Malakand area would soon be shifted from Peshawar for further proceedings.

Though under the Constitution the chief justice has to nominate sitting judges to function at the circuit bench, no judge could be nominated on permanent basis for the time being due to scarcity of judges in the high court.

The present government had included the provision related to Darul Qaza in the Shariah Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, 2009, after an agreement with Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariah-i-Muhammadi. In 2010, the provision concerning Mingora circuit bench was also included in the Constitution through the Constitution (18th Amendment) Act.

At the inaugural ceremony, Chief Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan stressed the role of bar and people of the area at all levels of human activity for establishing an equitable and balanced society under the rule of law. He called upon all the stakeholders to do their best to ensure cheap and speedy justice to people.

The PHC Bar Association president Khwaja Mohammad Khan praised the efforts of the chief justice for making the Darul Qaza functional and assured full support of the bar to the bench for the cause of justice. Swat District Bar president Asghar Ali, speaking on behalf of all district and sub-divisional bar associations in Malakand division, thanked the chief justice for Darul Qaza.

The PHC chief justice directed all concerned to expedite execution of civil works for ensuring availability of all facilities to the litigants, bench and bar to make the circuit bench a success.

Earlier, on his arrival the chief justice was warmly received by the bar and a contingent of Malakand police presented him a guard of honour. Afterwards, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan unveiled the plaque to formally inaugurate Mingora Bench/Darul Qaza.