Swat District Judiciary Inaugurates Psychological Services Centre, Evening Double Court to Enhance Access to Justice

By Muhammad Shahzad | Lahore, Pakistan
SWAT: Under the aegis of the Swat District Judiciary, a Psychological Services Facility for Family and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Courts and a Double Court (Evening) were officially inaugurated in Swat.
The ceremony was presided over by Justice Dr. Khurshid Iqbal of the Peshawar High Court, Mingora Bench. District & Sessions Judge Swat Asad Hamid Khan, other judicial officers, prosecutors, the District Attorney, DPO Swat, Jail Superintendent, presidents of the Peshawar High Court Mingora Bench Bar Association, district and tehsil bar associations, and professional psychologists attended the event.
Justice Dr. Khurshid Iqbal emphasized that, in line with the vision of Chief Justice S.M. Atiq Shah, ensuring easy and affordable access to justice for citizens remains a pressing priority.
He described the establishment of the Double Court (Evening) as a significant initiative aimed at ensuring timely and effective justice delivery. He also appreciated the creation of the Psychological Services Facility and called for continued research and improvements to further enhance its effectiveness.
“The initiative aims to make the justice system more efficient and citizen-friendly, ensuring affordable and accessible justice,” he stated.
District & Sessions Judge Asad Hamid Khan termed the measures a crucial step toward building a more effective, timely, and humane judicial system, aligned with the Chief Justice’s vision to make the judiciary more responsive to public needs.
The newly inaugurated Psychological Services Centre will provide professional psychological support to women, children, and victims of gender-based violence or exploitation. The facility is designed to ensure a dignified, safe, and empathetic environment, maintaining confidentiality and protecting victims from mental stress during judicial proceedings.
Officials clarified that the centre is intended solely to support the justice process and will not compel reconciliation or interfere with legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Double Court (Evening) will address pending civil and criminal cases that are urgent and sensitive. These include family disputes, tenancy matters, injunction applications, narcotics cases, cases involving female and juvenile accused, and crimes carrying sentences of up to seven years.
Operating during evening hours, the court is expected to optimize judicial resources and provide timely relief to the public, strengthening the overall efficiency of the district’s justice system.