The Supreme Court announced that for the calculation of period of limitation the institution branch of the court, at principal seat and the branch registries, shall be deemed to be closed from March 22, 2020 till April 21, 2020.
Registrar Supreme Court Khawaja Daud Ahmed notified that in exercise of powers available under Article 191 of 1973 Constitution read with Order II Rule 1, and Order XXXIII Rules 1,3,4 and 6 of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980; "For the purpose of calculation of period of limitation, provided under the Section 4 of Limitation Act, 1908, or any other law, the institution branch of the Court, at Principal Seat and the Branch Registries, shall be deemed to be closed from 22-03-2020 till 21-04-2020 (unless withdrawn earlier) for those litigants who are unable to approach this Court on account of the lockdown announced by the federal/provincial governments."
The notification, however, said that there shall be no bar on filing of applications, petitions, and appeals within the statutory period of limitation.
The court noted that the litigants were facing difficulties in filing suits, applications, petitions and petitions and appeals etc before various legal fora due to partial/complete lockdown announced by the federal/provincial government due to spread of coronavirus in various parts of the country. It, however, stated that the Supreme Court including its institution branches were functioning all over the country, while observing safety protocols.