Judicial reform action plan: SCP makes significant strides in reducing case backlog

ISLAMABAD: As part of the Judicial Reform Action Plan initiated in November 2024, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has made significant strides in reducing backlog and accelerating the disposal of priority cases involving personal liberty, family disputes, taxation and rent matters.

A press release issued by SC PRO on Wednesday said that through targeted case management, data-driven monitoring, technology-enabled reforms and a policy of prioritising the oldest pending cases, the Court has substantially advanced the age profile of cases being heard, demonstrating the tangible impact of institutional reforms on the administration of justice.

The most striking progress is visible in the categories:

Death Appeals: In October 2024, the oldest pending death appeals being heard by the Court related to the year 2015. By July 2026, the Court had advanced to hearing cases instituted in 2026, reflecting an eleven-year advancement. During this period, the Court disposed of 608 death appeals, reducing pendency to 22 appeals in 2026.

Bail Before Arrest: In October 2024, the Court was hearing cases from 2020. By July 2026, it had progressed to 2026, eliminating six years of accumulated backlog. During this period, the Court disposed of 2156 bail before arrest petitions, reducing pendency to only 23 petitions in 2026.

Bail After Arrest: In October 2024, the oldest pending matters related to the year 2009. By July 2026, the Court had advanced to hearing cases of the year 2026, representing a remarkable seventeen-year improvement. During this period, 2303 bail after arrest petitions were decided, reducing pendency to 66 cases for the year 2026.

Family Cases: The Court has significantly reduced delays in family litigation by advancing from hearing cases in 2010 to 2026. As many as 1065 family cases were decided during this period, leaving the balance of 150 pending cases, of which 122 are from 2026.

Taxation Cases: Focused case management and dedicated hearing schedules enabled the Court to progress from hearing tax matters of 2011 to 2019, substantially reducing the backlog in revenue litigation and contributing to greater commercial certainty. During this period, 506 cases were decided, leaving the balance to 842 cases, of which 608 cases are from 2025 and 2026.

Rent Cases: Long-pending rent litigation also witnessed remarkable progress, with the Court advancing from hearing the cases of 2011 to the year 2026, facilitating quicker resolution of rent disputes and significantly reducing pendency to 46 cases in the year 2026.

The Supreme Court remains committed to sustaining this momentum and ensuring that matters involving life, liberty, family rights and commercial certainty continue to receive the highest priority.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026