The number of pending cases in subordinate courts across Punjab, including the Lahore High Court (LHC), has crossed 1.3 million while the number of judges vacancies also shot up to over 850, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

According to sources, 19 posts of judges in the Lahore High Court and more than 840 in the district judiciary are vacant. Due to shortage of judges, the number of pending cases is increasing day by day and the litigants are worried as they get adjournment date after adjournment date, and no decision on time.

The number of sanctioned posts of judges in the Lahore High Court is 60, which was never achieved. Not a single judge was appointed in the High Court during 2022, while in the same year, three judges of the Lahore High Court had retired on completion of their term.

In 2022, two judges, Justice Ayesha A Malik and Justice Shahid Waheed, were elevated to the Supreme Court.

At the moment the number of judges in LHC is 41 while 19 seats are vacant.

In this regard, former Deputy Attorney General Raja Abdul Rehman told City42 that timely justice can be ensured by fulfilling the number of judges and discouraging unnecessary petitions.