Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Thursday observed that the criminal justice system was encouraging corruption, 24NewsHD TV channel reported.

The remarks came as the court was hearing a case about the criminal justice system during which the Islamabad assistant inspector general (AIG) of police revealed that every investigation officer received only 350 rupees for investigating a case.

During the proceedings, the AIG informed the court about this state of affairs as the chief justice questioned what justification could be given when a person was acquitted after remaining in jail for 10 years.

The chief justice remarked that the investigation officer had to travel to Lahore for handing over the evidence at lab. By giving only 350 rupees for probe to the investigation officer, the system itself tells him to indulge in corruption, he added.

“It is a huge failure of justice. Our priorities are wrong,” Justice Minallah remarked.

He observed, “The Police Act is in effect. But what is happening in Islamabad in spite of this is illegal.”

The chief justice added that the high-profile cases were highlighted in media but the real problem ignored, as the court appointed the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association as amicus curiae.

Further hearing was adjourned till May 21 by Justice Minallah after the court directed the Federation to submit a reply within a week while asking all the amicus curiae to present their proposals.

Meanwhile, the Law and Justice Commission secretary as well as former IGP Shoaib Suddle appeared before the court for the hearing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOavNaBX4NU