Supreme Court Begins New Judicial Year with Over 32,000 Pending Cases

As the Supreme Court of Pakistan commenced its new judicial year on Monday after the summer vacation, reports indicate that over 32,000 cases are currently pending before it. According to available data, the backlog has been reduced from a previous figure of over 56,000 cases. This reduction follows the transfer of 22,183 cases from the Supreme Court to the newly established Federal Constitutional Court.

In his address, Chief Justice Afridi also detailed the Supreme Court's international collaborations aimed at strengthening institutional capacity. He announced that Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) have been signed with the Supreme People's Court of China and the Constitutional Court of Turkey.

Further agreements are in progress, with an MOU with the Supreme Court of Korea expected to be finalised in mid-October, and another with the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan and Turkey's Court of Cassation agreed upon for November.

The Chief Justice added that cooperation is also under negotiation with judicial bodies in the UK, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States. He specifically identified China, Turkey, Russia, and Malaysia as key partners for developing cybersecurity. To this end, he noted that two judicial groups have already been sent to Turkey and five to China for specialised IT training.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar is supervising the technological advancements, according to the Chief Justice.