Islamabad: Supreme Court has remarked delay in justice is not only justice denied but it often extinguishes justice

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of SC gave these remarks in the decision related to auction of property. This case remained pending in the courts for 14 years.

SC bench comprising justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha Malik heard this case on July 18. A 4-page decision was issued on SC Website after 28 days.

It was said in the decision that auction of property in this case took place in 2011. The petitioner raised objections immediately But appeal remained pending for 10 years in Peshawar High Court. Decision came in 2021. This case reached SC in 2022. It was heard now in 2025 after three years. During this time neither the petitioner nor his representative appeared in the court.

According to decision over 22 lac cases are pending hearing in the country. About 56000 cases are pending hearing in SC despite increasing the number of judges.

It was said in the decision that delay in justice undermines the trust of people on judiciary and weakens rule of law and particularly it disproportionately harms the weak and vulnerable who cannot afford the cost of prolonged litigation.

Delay in adjudication carries severe macroeconomic and societal consequences: it deters investment, renders contracts illusory, and weakens the institutional legitimacy of the judiciary," Justice Shah warned.

SC has stressed on bringing innovation and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to avoid delay in administration of justice.

The court had rejected the appeal plea being not persuaded.