RAWALPINDI:
As the year 2025 draws to a close, the 74 civil and session courts of Rawalpindi district collectively decided only 26,658 cases, while there are currently 43,351 cases pending in the subordinate courts of the district.
From January 1 to November 30 of the outgoing year, a total of 26,658 sentences were issued. Of these, convictions were only obtained in 2,670 cases. During this period, 36 people were sentenced to death, 21 to life imprisonment, and approximately 25,000 people received sentences ranging from one month to fourteen years. Fines totaling Rs 317.9 million were also imposed.
At the beginning of the year, on January 1, 2025, there were 43,490 cases pending in the subordinate judiciary. During the year, 26,519 new cases were presented for hearing. Session judges decided 3,149 cases, while civil judges concluded 18,730 cases.
Each year, between 40,000 and 45,000 cases remain unsolved. One of the main reasons for this growing backlog is the acute shortage of judges in the district. Civil judges are required to hear 90 to 110 cases a day, while additional sessions judges handle 30 to 45 cases a day. The limited number of judges continues to intensify pressure on the judicial system.
Advocate Shanzeeb Khan, legal expert of the Supreme Court, said timely submission of challans to courts should be strictly enforced.
He stressed that forensic laboratories should be established at all divisional levels and the forensic laboratory established in Rawalpindi should be made operational immediately.
He added that if case dates are scheduled through mutual consultations between lawyers after framing of charges and distribution of copies of challan, cases could be decided more quickly. He also highlighted the urgent need to increase the number of judges.
Meanwhile, District Bar Association President Sardar Manzar Bashir called for appointment of two additional sessions judges and five civil judges in each tehsil of Rawalpindi district.
He also advocated for amendments to criminal laws to reduce the number of official witnesses, proposing that only one witness statement be recorded per set. He further urged that five more additional sessions judges and five additional civil judges be provided at the divisional headquarters.
