SC implements new SOPs for uninterrupted judicial work during unexpected holidays

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday implemented new standard operating procedures SOPs to ensure uninterrupted judicial work during unexpectedly announced holidays, stating that judicial work would continue as usual even on sudden public holidays.

"These SOPs are formulated to ensure the efficient, transparent, and timely fixation of cases before the SC of Pakistan, in accordance with institutional priorities and the principles of access to justice," said the statement.

It said that the SOPs had been issued by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, reflecting the judiciary’s push towards a more efficient and technology-driven system.

The move came amid heightened security arrangements for the expected second round of US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad later this week. A day earlier, the Federal Constitutional Court and Islamabad High Court announced that no judicial work would take place at its principal seat in Islamabad due to security measures ahead of the arrival of foreign delegations.

The court said a new framework for case fixation would prioritise urgent civil and criminal matters, including family cases, bail applications, criminal revisions, cases involving prisoners above the age of 80, restoration petitions, settlement matters, and cases involving short legal questions.

The statement added that the court also introduced measures to address the backlog of cases, stating that “at least 40% of cases in each final cause list shall consist of the oldest pending matters up to the year 2018.”

The SOPs also provide special facilitation for cases involving lawyers from Sindh and Balochistan, with their cases to be scheduled preferably later in the week to accommodate travel and logistical considerations.

The court also planned to introduce an automated case fixation system, which would “ensure transparency and objectivity” and “minimise discretionary delays” through algorithm-based prioritisation.

The new system would include weekly and proposed monthly cause lists, aimed at improving predictability and case flow management.