Booni Tehsil Bar Association delegation calls on CJP

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SLAMABAD, Nov 29 (APP): A delegation of Booni Tehsil Bar Association, District Chitral headed by its President Siraj Ali Khan and comprising 14 office bearers and members called on Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry here on Monday. 

Talking to a delegation, the CJP said that it is our duty to interpret the constitution and the law and dispense justice to litigants.

The delegation praised the efforts of Chief Justice for the cause of independence of judiciary, rule of law and constitutionalism in the country and discussed legal issues faced by the lawyers at Chitral. 

They expressed their reservations on some provisions/ aspects of the procedural law including the fixed time limit for filing appeals etc, which cause hardships to lawyers and litigant parties due to distance between Chitral and Peshawar High Court at Peshawar or circuit bench of the said Court at Mangora, Swat. 

The Chief Justice advised them to seek the legal remedy from legal forum in accordance with the constitution and law. 

The delegation informed the CJ that almost all the cases of 2009 have been disposed of in their district due to National Judicial Policy whereas fresh cases of 2010 are being heard. 

They insisted that under National Judicial Policy cases should be decided on merit rather than technical grounds. The Chief Justice assured them to take the matter on forum of National Judicial Policy Making Committee Meeting.

The delegation informed that their district is situated in remote area and litigants suffer due to lack of facilities and not easy access to justice. They requested the CJP to delegate the powers of Special Courts like Anti-Corruption and Banking Courts to District and Sessions Judge, Chitral to provide justice to litigants of far-flung areas. 

The Chief Justice told them that matter will be taken up with the quarter concerned after receipt of date of pending cases from Chitral in the said Special Courts.

They extended invitation to the Chief Justice to visit Booni, Chitral.