PESHAWAR - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Pervez Khattak, has said that justice is the basic requirement of the masses that was lacking in the past regimes and for which PTI was voted into power in KPK as a ray of hope.
He said that common people had been badly affected by injustices in the society and officialdom while the despotic rulers of the past had shattered the confidence of the public in government and institutions, which the government would restore. The Chief Minister termed the Insaf Lawyers Forum (ILF) as the front line organ of PTI and urged upon the lawyers of the forum to play their vital role in materialising the change agenda so that the promises made to the people could be fulfilled in letter and spirit. He reiterated his resolve to implement the election manifesto of the party by cent per cent and said that for this purpose the provincial government, since the very first day of its inception, has been taking concrete steps under a comprehensive strategy whereas positive impacts of it are being witnessed. He was talking to a delegation of office-bearers of ILF led by Qazi Anwar Advocate at CM Secretariat Peshawar. The delegation discussed with him matters related to the welfare of lawyers community of the province, the change agenda of the provincial government, progress so far made on its implementation, and dispensation of quick and easy justice to the people. Secretary Law Mohammad Arifeen was also present on the occasion.
While terming judiciary as an important pillar of the state Pervez Khattak said that cheap and speedy justice is the need of the hour and added that it would be a great service to the public and justice if the provincial government and ILF with the active cooperation of the judiciary, put an end to the increasing trend of one-sided stay orders that usually complicated govt affairs relating to dispensation of justice. Similarly He maintained that increase in mobile courts could be very helpful in providing quick and cheap justice to the people of both urban and rural areas at their doorsteps.
"Our efforts are directed to change the existing system and make it automatic to maximum possible extent to assure the people that their problems are solved and works done without giving bribes," said the Chief Minister and added that besides legislation, practical progress is also being made on government side in this regard. About reforms of his government Pervez Khattak said that the directions of police stations, patwarkhanas and other government offices had been set straight; and now no Patwari, Police or other government official can dare to take bribe and if any one tried, will be dealt with iron hands. While lashing political opponents for criticising the present provincial government, the Chief Minister said that they should feel ashamed of their misdeeds during their reign when favouritism, corruption and lawlessness were rampant all around in the province. "People themselves are complainant of the last government and snubbing them for its misdeeds while at the same time they also acknowledge and appreciate the positive steps of the present government because they are being provided relief in all the fields by our government now", he continued.
Referring to the legislations of the provincial government for upholding rule of law, meritocracy and transparency, Pervez Khattak said that Right to Information, Accountability Commission, new Local government system and Right to Services acts are the milestone achievements of the provincial government which would help to empower the people at local level, eliminating corruption, ensure transparency and provide better facilities to the people.