Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umer Ata Bandial Monday said the apex court was tested many a time in February this year, flooded with constitutional matters, affecting its other issues. He was addressing a ceremony in connection with the new Judicial Year here.
Fifteen apex court judges attended the ceremony, excluding Justice Yahya Afridi, who is abroad. It was Justice Bandial’s last address, as he will retire on September 16 after reaching the age of superannuation.
The chief justice’s successor, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, would be stepping into his shoes on September 17. “This is my last speech on the auspicious occasion of the new Judicial Year. Last time, I spoke to you as well”, the chief justice said, adding that during February 2023, the court was tested several times by involving it in a volley of constitutional matters due to which other court matters were also affected.
“I don’t want to repeat the environment the court faced, but it faced several times, and we have made those events part of our judgment in audio leaks”, he said. Highlighting the court’s performance after he assumed the charge, the CJP said the apex court disposed of some 23,000 cases last year, breaking the record of 18,000 points in one year.
“Although I wished to reduce the pendency of 50,000 cases, I could manage to address only 2,000 cases from the backlog”, he added. The chief justice said despite summer vacations, he and other judges worked tirelessly and lauded the earnest support of his fellow judges for an early adjudication of cases.
Looking towards his successor Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the chief justice expressed good wishes, saying, “My brother is an admirable personality. Our viewpoint is different from each other, as when there is an open mind, a difference of opinion is always there. But I have great respect for him as well”, the CJP added.
