Prolonged court closure disrupts proceedings

RAWALPINDI:

An extended Eidul Azha holiday period and the government's energy conservation programme significantly disrupted judicial proceedings in the district's subordinate courts, causing 10 consecutive days of limited or suspended court activity.

The prolonged break comprised nine official holidays and one additional day on which attendance at government offices remained negligible, severely affecting routine judicial business across the district judiciary.

A large number of bail petitions filed by accused persons before Eidul Azha, particularly those seeking relief on humanitarian and compassionate grounds during the festival period, remained pending and could not be taken up for hearing due to the extended closure of courts.

Under the energy conservation programme, public holidays were observed on May 22 (Friday), May 23 (Saturday) and May 24 (Sunday), ahead of Eidul Azha. May 25 (Monday) was the final working day before Eid. However, attendance at government offices and the District Courts complex reportedly remained exceptionally low.

According to sources, many officials and support staff either treated the day as an unofficial holiday or left their offices early, leaving large sections of the district courts virtually deserted by late morning.

This was followed by the three Eidul Azha holidays observed from May 26 (Tuesday), to May 28 (Thursday). Upon the conclusion of Eid, another three-day closure under the energy conservation schedule commenced from May 29 (Friday), through May 31 (Sunday).

As a result, regular hearings in sessions, civil, family, magistrates' and special courts could not be conducted.