The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Chairman, Hassan Raza Pasha, announced on Wednesday that a committee has been established to develop a policy to expedite case resolutions and address obstacles in the delivery of justice. This committee will include representatives from the Supreme Court (SC), the PBC, and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). A meeting will be conducted in the near future to initiate the committee’s work.
This announcement comes at a time when the judiciary is facing criticism due to a significant backlog of cases, exceeding two million in both superior and lower courts. Pasha mentioned that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa sought input from lawyers’ bodies regarding efficient judicial administration, demonstrating a commitment to address this pressing issue. The committee will also inform the PBC and other members of the legal fraternity about the progress in implementing their recommendations.
Pasha emphasized that the SC is dedicated to creating a sustainable long-term policy to promptly resolve pending cases and ensure fair justice for everyone. The primary focus of the meeting was to collaboratively develop a comprehensive policy and mechanism to eliminate barriers hindering the delivery of justice.
Concerning this matter, PBC Vice Chairman Haroon Rashid previously suggested that clearing the backlog of cases would be possible by establishing additional benches in the apex court. Presently, there are only two or three regular benches for hearing cases. Rashid proposed that the Chief Justice increase the number of regular benches to six, which would significantly reduce the backlog. He further remarked that the Supreme Court has historically spent excessive time on political cases that could have been resolved in a matter of few hearings, as most of them involve interpreting questions of law.
In conclusion, the formation of the committee comprising SC judges and lawyers demonstrates a proactive approach towards improving the delivery of justice in Pakistan. By addressing the backlog of cases and seeking input from legal experts, the judiciary aims to create a more efficient and equitable justice system for all.