24,000 cases disposed of in last judicial year: CJ
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry said the Supreme Court disposed of more than 24,000 cases during the last one judicial year leaving a balance of 14,000 cases pending before the Apex Court.
The Chief Justice said this on Monday while addressing the opening ceremony of the "New Judicial Year" held in the Court Room No.1 of the Supreme Court building, Islamabad. All the judges of the Supreme Court present at the principal seat, Islamabad participated in the ceremony.
The ceremony was also addressed by Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, Ali Ahmed Kurd, President Supreme Court Bar Association, Malik Muhammad Qayyum, Deputy Attorney General, Nasir Saeed Sheikh who represented the Attorney General for Pakistan, Makhdoom Ali Khan.
The ceremony was attended Deputy Attorney Generals and provincial law officers besides advocates of the Supreme Court.
Talking about the image of the judiciary, he said that the ability of a judicial system to deliver inexpensive, speedy and impartial justice is the only way to improve its image and credibility. "In resolving the controversies, there are no favourites before the courts, no likes and no dislikes. As soon as a person is appointed a judge, he/she parts ways with his/her past affiliations.
The judges are expected to display and practice high standards of integrity and professionalism. They have to earn public trust and confidence through hard work, commitment and integrity of character," Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said.
Giving details about the disposal of cases and backlog, the Chief Justice said In August 2005, the court had a pendency of more than 26,000 cases. There was an institution of nearly 12,000 new cases up to August 31, 2006. During this period more than 24,000 cases were disposed of, leaving a balance of 14,000 cases.
Talking about the performance of the benches, Justice ftikhar Muhammad Chaudry said there were many factors for this outstanding disposal. In the first instance, my brother judges put in extraordinary efforts in devising ways and means to expedite the disposal of cases. They worked on a war footing by devoting extra time. The staff also worked very hard and provided the necessary support in the preparation of cases and other allied matters, the Chief Justice said.
The Chief Justice also appreciated the performance of the two Ad-hoc judges Justice Hamid Ali Mirza and Justice Karamat Nazir Bhandari and said, "I am deeply obliged to them for their hard work and commitment in deciding a large number of cases, which helped us to significantly reduce the backlog."
Regarding Court vacations, the Chief Justice said that the benches of the Apex Court continued to work at Islamabad and Lahore continuously throughout the vacations besides working intermittently at Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta.
Giving details about the plans of Judicial year 2006-07, the Chief Justice said, "We will continue to follow some administrative actions for the disposal of cases and reduce pendency during the current Judicial Year."
In order to provide expeditious relief to the deserving litigants and to discourage false and frivolous litigation, all newly instituted petitions for leave to appeal, miscellaneous applications for stay order and review petitions are being fixed on the following day, he said.
Expressing his concerns over the pendency of cases in the High Courts and before the subordinate judiciary, the Chief Justice said, "There are heavy backlog in all the High Courts and the situation is still worse in the subordinate courts. The reasons for backlogs and long delays in the dispensation of justice are known to all and sundry. It is a time to address the issue with still greater commitment and dedication."
Talking about the importance of the Bar, he said that members of the bar were always encouraged for making suggestions regarding expediting the disposal of cases and improving the system of administration of justice in the country and would be encouraged and given due consideration in future.
Regarding suo-motu actions taken by the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice said that a number of important issues related to fundamental rights and civic amenities were decided after taking suo-motu notice including ban on Basant festival, facilities for depositing of utility bills, construction of shopping plaza on the land of Post Graduate College at Chakwal, conversion of 5-acre par in Sector F-7, Islamabad into a commercial venture in the form of a mini golf course, illegal detention of foreign prisoners in jails etc.
On the end of the ceremony, the Chief Justice offered a special "Dua'a".