ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has announced plans to resolve all pending cases related to death sentences and life imprisonment within the next 45 days.
In an official update, the apex court revealed a notable reduction in the total number of pending criminal cases, attributing this progress to the leadership of the Chief Justice of Pakistan. Since October 2024, the backlog has been reduced from 19,549 cases to 12,705.
The statement highlighted that between February 9 and February 14, 2026, the court successfully cleared 354 criminal cases involving death penalties and life imprisonment. Over the same period, 131 new cases of a similar nature were filed.
Emphasizing efficiency, the court reported that its weekly case disposal rate exceeded the influx of new cases by nearly 270 percent. It has also prioritized addressing all death penalty cases lodged until January 2026 to ensure swift justice delivery.
To meet these ambitious goals, special judicial benches, reform groups, and teams are working collaboratively under a strategic framework.
The Chief Justice further instructed a structured approach to expedite jail petitions concerning under-trial prisoners. This includes establishing a transparent and consistent timeline for processing such petitions, from filing to final judgment.
Reiterating its dedication to effective judicial processes, the Supreme Court committed to enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for delays in criminal justice proceedings.
