Elevation of senior high court judge to SC demanded.

ABBOTTABAD -- Representatives of lawyers have demanded the elevation of a senior Peshawar High Court judge to the Supreme Court and an increase in the high court strength.

The demand was made by members of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association, Abbottabad, and other bar associations of Hazara Division during a joint news conference here.

Accompanied by the presidents and members of the Abbottabad, Ghazi, Havelian, Haripur and other bar associations, PHCBA Abbottabad president Mehdi Zaman said the Judicial Commission of Pakistan should elevate a senior PHC judge to the Supreme Court on merit as the 17-strong apex court currently had just one judge from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said Fata's merger had brought Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's population and area on a par with Sindh's but KP had just 19 judges against Sindh's more than 50.

Bars also call for increase in PHC strength

The PHCBA leader asked authorities to take corrective measures to address unrest in the province's judges.

He said KP had produced brilliant judges like Justice Seth Waqar, so the judges of its high court should deserve elevation to the apex court.

Mr Zaman said the PHC judges were so overburdened with work that they had to work for two to three extra hours daily.

He said the high court strength should be increased to provide relief to the judges and ensure speedy dispensation of justice to people.

The PHCBA urged...