News Desk
PESHAWAR — Nine judicial officers have been dismissed from service by the Peshawar High Court, found guilty of misconduct, corruption, and inefficiency in a fresh inquiry. But in Pakistan’s justice system, the real story isn’t who got caught—it’s how long they were allowed to serve.
The decision, handed down by Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court SM Attique Shah, comes months after the same officers were controversially reinstated in April 2025. Their return to service had followed an eight-year legal battle and a tribunal ruling that overturned their original dismissal in 2017. But the reinstatement was conditional—subject to a de novo inquiry and pending appeals before the Supreme Court. That inquiry has now concluded with damning results.
The charges weren’t new. Allegations of compromised conduct, questionable social affiliations, and reputational concerns had long shadowed these officers. Yet for eight years, the system bent, stalled, and ultimately reinstated them—without back pay, but with full authority.
Among those dismissed are four additional district and sessions judges, four senior civil judges, and one civil judge. Each was served a final show-cause notice and granted a personal hearing before the court imposed the major penalty of termination.
This isn’t just a story of nine dismissals. It’s a reflection of a judiciary that struggles to hold its own accountable. The fact that these officers were reinstated despite serious concerns—and only removed again after a second inquiry—raises uncomfortable questions about institutional will, political shielding, and the fragility of reform.
Chief Justice SM Attique Shah has emphasized tech-driven reforms and a renewed commitment to transparency. A full court meeting pledged swift implementation of judicial improvements. But pledges are not policy, and resolutions don’t erase reputational damage.
