Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has questioned the repetition of the provision in the constitution when it explicitly states a 90-day timeframe. He expressed his hope that those in power would adhere to all matters in accordance with the constitution.
Addressing a gathering at the Supreme Court Bar Association’s farewell dinner, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial extended a warm welcome to all the chief justices, judges, and lawyers. He expressed gratitude and stated that he would soon retire from the judiciary, ending a relationship that has lasted for the past 20 years.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial highlighted the significance of the constitutional framework, emphasizing that the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, is established by the constitution. He noted that over the last one and a half decades, people have been coming to seek their rights based on constitutional provisions. During this time, there was a firm commitment to reduce the backlog of cases, with the goal of reducing the number of pending cases from 54,000 to 2,000. This achievement is significant as it marks the first time in history that such a reduction has been realized. He expressed gratitude to all the judges who have contributed to this accomplishment by making timely decisions.
Chief Justice Bandial emphasized that within our courts, there is no disagreement on constitutional principles; rather, the differences among judges pertain to whether constitutional cases should be brought directly to the Supreme Court or not. He credited the excellent legal representation as a contributing factor and suggested that without such high-quality advocacy, the judiciary would not have been able to make these decisions.
Justice Bandial’s remarks underscore the importance of upholding the constitution and its provisions, particularly the 90-day timeframe mentioned for certain matters. He also highlighted the commitment of the judiciary to streamline the legal process and reduce the backlog of cases, achieving a significant reduction in pending cases. His message serves as a reminder of the vital role the judiciary plays in upholding constitutional principles and ensuring justice in Pakistan.
