Supreme Court notifies SOPs for managing cases during unforeseen holidays

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has notified separate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure uninterrupted judicial functioning during unforeseen public holidays and to streamline fixation of cases through a transparent, priority-based, and predictable system, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to a press release issued in Islamabad on Tuesday, the court’s administrative and judicial business, under the SOPs, shall ordinarily continue during emergently declared public holidays with minimal essential staff arrangements, unless otherwise directed by the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The case fixation framework prioritizes urgent civil and criminal matters, including family cases, bail matters, criminal review petitions, cases of prisoners above 80 years of age, restoration petitions and compromise matters, and cases involving short legal questions.

To reduce pendency, at least 40% of each Final Cause List shall consist of the oldest pending cases up to the year 2018, with progressive inclusion of later years where required. Special facilitation has also been provided for cases filed by counsel from Sindh and Balochistan.

The SOPs further provide for the issuance of weekly and proposed monthly cause lists, along with the development of an automated case fixation system to enhance transparency, minimize delays, and improve case flow management.

These measures reflect the Supreme Court’s continued commitment to efficient, technology-driven, and citizen-centric administration of justice.

The SOPs are also uploaded, for public awareness and stakeholders' information, on the official website of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, www.supremecourt.gov.pk.

Reporter Amanat Gishkori