ISLAMABAD: The pendency of cases in Supreme Court is increasing day by dayas 38,913 cases remain pending in the Supreme Court of Pakistan till April30. This rapid increase in the number of pending cases is the biggestchallenge faced by the top court which is already criticised for being moreinterested in dealing with political matters.

The rate of pendency has risen almost 100% during the last five to sevenyears. In 2001, the number of cases in the SC backlog was recorded at13,070 which have since multiplied several times, reaching its currentfigure.

Moreover, historical trends suggest that the number has increased each yearsince 2001 as 17,370 cases were pending in 2002. From 2003 to 2016, ratioof pendency was recorded as 20,031, 27,614, 14,984, 13,724, 15,186, 17,754,18,359, 20,234, 20,228, 20,314, 20,480, 22,979, 27,639 and 32,744. It ispertinent to mention here that there was a noticeable increase in pendencyin 2016 as compared to the previous trends.

Recently, the Supreme Court released its annual report 2016-17, wherein itis stated that the trend of increase in the institution of cases andconsequential piling up of backlogs continued. The report says that thehuge pendency coupled with a high rate of institution did not escape theattention of the chief justice and the judges and the matter wasdeliberated in full court meetings from time to time.

[image: index]

The factors leading to the higher institution as well as causes of delaysin the disposal of cases were considered in depth. It was observed that therise in the institution of cases was mainly on account of higher rate ofdisposal of cases in the high courts. Thus, it was resolved that strategieswould be evolved to deal with the heavy backlogs.