Miranshah girls college converted into judicial complex

In a major setback to girls education to war stricken North Waziristan tribal district, building of the only girls' degree college in Miranshah has been converted into a judicial complex, which has drawn criticism from social circles.
The building of the girls' degree college is situated in Miranshah Cantt area. The college was closed since the initiation of military operation Zarb-e-Azb against militants in the area. The district administration of North Waziristan converted the building of the college into a judicial complex a few days ago.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Manzoor Afridi said that there was no other option with the administration for establishment of a judicial complex other than utilising the building of the girls' college. However, he said, the administration has given an alternate building to the Education Department to use it as girls' college.
The people of North Waziristan have expressed grave concerns over conversion of the girls' college building into judicial complex. They said the government instead of increasing education facilities for girls' students was snatching the right to education from girls.
The elders of Utmanzai tribe have called upon the government to take back its decision of converting girls' college into judicial complex immediately. They warned of protest if their demand was not accepted.
After merger of erstwhile Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on February 25 announced appointment of 28 judges in the tribal districts. Under the announcement, four judicial officers, including one senior civil judge, district sessions judge and two additional sessions judges, have been appointed in every tribal district.
The judicial officers of Khyber tribal district are performing duties in Peshawar, those from Orakzai and Kurram are performing duties in Hangu, judges of North Waziristan are performing duty in Bannu, South Waziristan judges sit in Tank, Mohmand judges perform duty in Charsadda and Bajaur judges sit in Timergara.
The courts were set up outside tribal districts due to administrative and security reasons. However, the people of merged districts demanded shifting of the courts inside tribal areas to reduce their troubles and enable all people to access judiciary easily.
Last week, Bajaur became the first tribal district to have a judicial set up inside the tribal district. The district court, which has been set up at Civil Colony in Khar, started formal proceedings last week and heard several cases. Now arrangements are being made to shift the courts of North Waziristan to Miranshah from Bannu.