Administrative tribunals and special courts (ATSC) concluded a total of 137,316 cases throughout the year 2023, according to a report from the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan.
The ATSC has released a report detailing the performance of administrative tribunals and special courts for the year 2023.
This report, as per a press release, encompasses data concerning the initiation and resolution of cases across the 324 ATSCs operational nationwide.
The report highlights a slight increase in the net number of pending cases, rising from 160,697 to 163,211, indicating a 2% upsurge. Within the same period, 137,316 cases were successfully resolved, as outlined in the report alongside a jurisdiction-wise breakdown.
Of the total, 145 ATSCs operate under federal jurisdiction, while 179 fall under provincial jurisdiction.
Under federal jurisdiction, the number of pending cases escalated by 5.7%, resulting in a net pendency increase from 121,225 to 128,111 cases. Additionally, 78,652 fresh cases were instituted, with 74,384 cases concluded during this timeframe.
Conversely, the situation appears marginally improved within the 179 ATSCs under provincial jurisdiction. The combined number of pending cases decreased by 11%, reducing net pendency to 35,100 cases from 39,472.
A total of 57,172 new cases were filed, while 62,932 cases reached resolution.
The report emphasises that a significant portion of pendency in federal courts is attributed to fiscal and service matters, primarily involving the appellate tribunal inland revenue, banking courts, and federal service tribunal, which account for 83% of total pending cases.
Similarly, in provincial courts, the backlog is largely composed of cases from anti-corruption courts, consumer courts, provincial service tribunals, and labour courts, comprising 82% of the total pending caseload.
It is underscored that relevant federal and provincial governments need to streamline court operations to reduce pendency and ensure swift delivery of justice services.
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