PESHAWAR, Pakistan: In a decisive move to uphold accountability, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) has terminated the services of nine judicial officers, including additional district and sessions judges, senior civil judges, and a civil judge, on charges of misconduct and corruption.
The sweeping action came after the PHC’s administration committee, headed by the Chief Justice, conducted a thorough inquiry into complaints of malpractice. Show-cause notices were issued to the officers, giving them a chance to defend themselves, but their responses failed to satisfy the committee. Following this, the Chief Justice approved their dismissal with immediate effect.
The development is being seen as a landmark step towards cleansing the judiciary of unethical practices. For years, lower courts have faced criticism over delayed justice, misuse of authority, and corruption that erode public trust in the system. By removing officers found guilty of serious violations, the PHC has sent a clear message that misconduct within judicial ranks will not be tolerated.
However, legal observers stress that for such measures to deliver long-term impact, disciplinary processes must be more transparent and consistent. While the removal of tainted officers boosts public confidence, questions remain about whether systemic reforms will follow to prevent future lapses.
The termination of these nine officers stands as both a warning and an opportunity: a warning to those who compromise integrity in the justice system, and an opportunity to restore faith in one of the country’s most critical institutions.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.