SC cuts criminal case backlog, disposes 354 death & life cases in week

“All pending death sentence cases up to January 2026 will be prioritised, with death and life imprisonment matters targeted for disposal within 45 days,” the Chief Justice of Pakistan said while reviewing reform progress at the Supreme Court of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2026) “All pending death sentence cases up to January 2026 will be prioritised, with death and life imprisonment matters targeted for disposal within 45 days,” the Chief Justice of Pakistan said while reviewing reform progress at the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Translating reform commitments into measurable outcomes, the apex court has significantly reduced its criminal case backlog since October 2024.

According to official figures, overall pendency of criminal cases has declined from 19,549 to 12,705 — reflecting what officials describe as sustained progress in expeditious adjudication and institutional reform.

The momentum was particularly visible during the week of February 9–14, 2026, when the court disposed of 354 criminal cases involving death sentences and life imprisonment. During the same period, 131 new cases of the same category were instituted. The weekly disposal rate was approximately 270 per cent higher than fresh filings, indicating an accelerated pace of hearings and judgments in serious criminal matters.

Officials attributed the improvement to structured case management, proactive constitution of benches, and closer monitoring of pending matters.

The progress follows a series of reform review meetings chaired by the Chief Justice, in which it was decided to prioritise all pending death sentence cases up to January 2026.

Dedicated benches and judicial teams have been tasked with achieving the 45-day disposal target for death and life imprisonment cases. The reform process includes coordinated planning and continuous monitoring to prevent fresh accumulation of backlog.

The court’s renewed focus on criminal justice reform also extends to undertrial prisoners. Clear directions have been issued to streamline and expedite jail petitions by introducing predictable timelines from filing to disposal. The aim is to reduce uncertainty, minimise hardship for undertrial inmates, and ensure justice delivery in line with constitutional guarantees.

Legal observers note that the reduction in pendency and the sharp rise in weekly disposals signal a policy of zero tolerance for stagnation in criminal litigation. The leadership of the apex court maintains that timely adjudication in serious criminal cases remains central to strengthening public confidence in the justice system and upholding the rule of law.