Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, addressed a Full Courtsession for the New Judicial Year on Monday, shedding light on the SupremeCourt’s significant caseload and its role in interpreting the Constitutionand laws.
Over the past year, the Supreme Court of Pakistan grappled with astaggering 23,000 cases, encompassing a wide array of constitutional issuesbrought before it. Notably, the court faced multiple tests in February2023, primarily related to Pakistan’s Constitution, culminating in therecent decision concerning the audio leaks case.
During his address, CJP Bandial stressed the importance of politicalstability for the country’s progress and the significance of timely generalelections, emphasizing that unity among judges was paramount in thisregard. He expressed confidence in his successor’s ability to navigatethese challenges. Despite the court’s extensive caseload, CJP Bandialhighlighted their judicious use of suo moto powers, having initiated onlyone such case in nine months.
Justice Bandial also acknowledged the tireless efforts of judges during thesummer months, with workdays extending from 13 to 16 hours. He emphasizedthe positive impact of technology, particularly video-link facilities, inenhancing the scope of legal arguments, with thousands of people utilizingthese services across various cities. Additionally, the introduction ofAlternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) throughout the country was seen as apromising step to alleviate the burden on courts.
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In conclusion, Chief Justice Bandial commended the media for their role asthe society’s eyes and ears and expressed gratitude to the Supreme Courtjudges for their support and independent thinking. He recognized the valueof their differences of opinion, which contributed to the institution’sgrowth.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan also chimed in, emphasizing the needfor the Supreme Court to dedicate more time to its appellate jurisdiction,in line with its primary duty, especially when dealing with high-profile orpolitical cases, thus striking a balance between original and appellatefunctions
