Supreme Court announces new policy for expedited case hearings

• SC prioritises bail, family, and election-related cases.
• No petitions needed for priority case hearings.
• Early hearing requests require solid proof of urgency.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has formed a new policy on the early hearing and out-of-turn fixation of cases, The News reported.

A circular issued on Wednesday outlined that cases involving bail matters (both bail before arrest and post-arrest), compromise cases, and the transfer of proceedings or decrees in family disputes will be treated as high-priority matters.

The circular added that for such cases, petitioners will no longer be required to file separate requests for early hearings.

Similarly, all election matters will be fixed on an urgent basis, subject to availability of the requisite bench in chronological order. Petitions for early hearing will not be needed. 

It was further stated that applications for out-of-turn fixation must be drawn by the ASC himself and filed through the AOR, adding that such applications must contain grounds for urgency and accompany proof of urgency, i.e. copies of execution proceedings regarding vacation of property, warrants of arrest and warrants of possession.

It was stated that an application for early hearing once turned down would only lie again with fresh grounds and solid proof of urgency.

Meanwhile, the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on Monday fixed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s petitions for hearing, seeking a probe into alleged rigging in the February 8 general elections and formation of a judicial commission to investigate May 9 events.

A five-member bench, headed by Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan, will hear Imran’s pleas on February 28. Earlier in Dec 2024, the constitutional bench admitted for regular hearing the former prime minister’s petition seeking a judicial inquiry into the May 9 incidents.

The bench directed its office to fix the case after assigning a number to the instant petitions.