Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, during the ceremony marking the onset of the judicial year 2023-24, remarked that recent adversarial constitutional litigations had somewhat hindered the Supreme Court’s efficacy. Despite the pressures, he remained hopeful that political stability would eventually usher in economic stability. However, he expressed regret over instances where his remarks were misconstrued or taken out of context by the media, urging for accurate reporting.
Transition and Acknowledgments
With his tenure ending September 16, CJP Bandial used this occasion, possibly his last official engagement, to express gratitude towards his colleagues instead of outlining guidelines for the coming year. He lauded his successor, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who will assume office on September 17, for his admirable persona and intellect, expressing confidence in Isa’s capabilities to enhance the court’s handling of suo motu cases and overall management. Bandial also praised Justices Ayesha Malik and Musarrat Hilali for their dynamic contributions to the court.
Backlog of Cases and Future Prospects
Highlighting the surge in the backlog of cases to 56,544, Bandial admitted that the onset of constitutional cases with political undertones since February had shifted the court’s focus away from disputes involving regular citizens. Nevertheless, he hoped that the court would soon be able to return its attention to such matters. He noted the court’s financial prudence, returning 13% of its budget to the state and accumulating about Rs 18.6 billion in a dam fund to address water scarcity issues.
Throughout his speech, Bandial emphasized his heartfelt gratitude and appreciation towards his colleagues, hoping for forgiveness if any harboured grievances against him. He also highlighted the dedicated efforts of several judges who continued to work diligently throughout the summer recess.
