SC bench resolves 500 criminal cases amid growing backlog

Despite a growing backlog, the Supreme Court bench led by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail has resolved 500 criminal cases between March 11 and July 19.

Following the retirement of former chief justices Asif Saeed Khosa, Manzoor Ahmad Malik, and Sardar Tariq Masood, the apex court faced an urgent need for a special bench to address criminal cases pending for up to 15 years.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi (CJP) Faez Isa tasked Justice Mandokhail's bench with resolving these longstanding cases, which include criminal appeals and jail petitions.

Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, known for his expertise in criminal law, was recently added to the bench. The bench has also been hearing cases at the Quetta Registry during the summer recess.

The bench under Justice Mandokhail has adjudicated 76 criminal appeals, 294 criminal petitions for leave to appeal, and 126 jail petitions. Additionally, it has addressed 45 criminal cases involving individuals who were either released after serving their sentences or who died during imprisonment.

Instead of converting jail petitions into criminal appeals, Justice Mandokhail's bench has been directly deciding on these petitions.

This approach contrasts with the previous practice under ex-CJ Gulzar Ahmed, who had converted such petitions into criminal appeals.

CJP Isa had previously recommended the formation of a dedicated three-judge bench for these cases, in line with the SC Rules 1980.

As of July 15, the apex court has a total of 59,064 cases pending, including 3,295 jail petitions, 10,086 criminal petitions for leave to appeal, and 1,081 criminal appeals.

To address the backlog, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has approved the appointment of retired Justices Sardar Tariq Mahmood and Mazhar Alam Miankhel as ad hoc judges.