Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, in a recent order, has advocated for discontinuing the use of the term “sahib” in job titles, asserting that it unnecessarily elevates the status of public servants. This directive emerged during a bail plea hearing related to a tragic child murder case in Peshawar from the previous year.
The petitioner, Javid Khan, challenged the credibility of the statements made by the victim’s relatives, prompting him to seek bail. The case, presided over by a three-member bench led by CJP Isa and including Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Aminuddin Khan, revealed a concerning trend in which the Additional Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa referred to the deputy superintendent of police as “DSP sahib.”
CJP Isa expressed his disapproval, stating that attaching “sahib” to job titles fosters a sense of grandiosity and unaccountability among public servants. He emphasized the need to prioritize the public’s interests.
During the hearing, CJP Isa criticized the inadequacies in the investigation, noting that it relied solely on two statements without conducting a thorough inquiry into the events surrounding the child’s murder. He characterized this as a glaring example of an incompetently handled investigation.
Furthermore, CJP Isa pointed out a concerning trend where the court was being turned into an extension of the prosecution’s office. He criticized the unnecessary travel of two police officers from Peshawar to submit documents that could have easily been transmitted through modern communication channels.
Concluding the proceedings, CJP Isa granted bail to Javid Khan, requiring surety bonds worth Rs100,000. Simultaneously, he ordered a thorough further inquiry into the case, highlighting the imperative for a more serious and responsible approach in such matters.
