The Supreme Court has unveiled its performance report for the second quarter of 2024, detailing activities and decisions spanning from December 17, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
One significant highlight from the report is the court’s firm stance on judicial accountability. It emphasized that no judge can evade scrutiny by resigning, as demonstrated in the case of Justice (R) Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who was denied a transparent trial following his resignation.
The report also addresses notable legal outcomes during this period. It confirms the resolution of the reference against former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and upholding the special court’s verdict against Pervez Musharraf.
Additionally, a lifetime disqualification judgment was overturned, and a precedent was set requiring the consent of the wife for divorce.
Operationally, the Supreme Court registered 5,427 cases and disposed of 3,974 cases, marking a significant increase of 1,453 resolved cases compared to the previous quarter. The court also enhanced transparency by live-streaming proceedings 30 times, underscoring its commitment to public accessibility.
In an unexpected note, the report mentions an incident involving peacocks housed at the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s official residence. Two pairs of peacocks were initially kept there, but following a veterinary check-up, one pair of white peacocks was handed over to wildlife authorities. Sadly, the other pair of colorful peacocks met a tragic fate in the peacock valley in Kalkarhar.
Overall, the Supreme Court’s second quarter report highlights its judicial productivity, significant legal decisions, commitment to transparency through live broadcasts, and an unusual yet poignant narrative involving wildlife conservation efforts.
