In a move to address the growing backlog of cases and frequent delays in the judicial system, Pakistan’s Supreme Court has proposed amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC). The proposed changes aim to establish clearer timelines and improve the efficiency of case management in courts.
A 13-page judgment by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar highlighted that the increasing number of pending cases is due to a rise in litigation across various sectors. He pointed out that while the public often criticizes courts for delays, the responsibility also lies with the parties involved and their lawyers.
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Justice Mazhar recommended introducing specific timelines in the CrPC, noting that delays often occur when investigating officers fail to submit reports on time or when courts take too long to frame charges. He emphasized the importance of regulating these tasks with dedicated timelines for tasks like evidence collection and recording statements of the accused.
The judgment also stressed the need for a stage-by-stage case management system in the CPC, from the admission of a suit to its resolution. He urged high courts to exercise their constitutional powers to amend rules, making the judicial process more efficient and meaningful.
Furthermore, Justice Mazhar proposed creating a new chapter in the CPC dedicated to case management. This chapter would set strict timelines for each stage of the proceedings, with penalties for non-compliance, such as imposing costs. The goal is to ensure quicker resolution of cases, including interlocutory applications, at all levels of the judicial system.
