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Supreme Court Aims to Resolve All Death Penalty Cases in 45 Days
SC Pakistan sets 45-day target to dispose of all pending death penalty & life imprisonment cases. Weekly disposal rate now 270% higher than new filings. Special benches, reform groups working to expedite justice.
ND
by News Desk
2026-02-16
Supreme Court Aims to Resolve All Death Penalty Cases in 45 Days

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has announced a target to dispose of all pending death penalty and life imprisonment cases within the next 45 days. This move comes as part of efforts to streamline the judicial process and reduce criminal case backlogs.

According to a statement issued by the Supreme Court, total criminal case pendency has decreased from 19,549 in October 2024 to 12,705. Between February 9-14, 2026, the court disposed of 354 cases related to the death penalty and life imprisonment. During the same period, 131 new cases were filed, making the disposal rate about 270 percent higher than the rate of new filings.

The Supreme Court has decided to prioritize all pending death penalty cases filed up to January 2026. Special benches, judicial reform groups, and dedicated teams are actively working to meet this target.

Chief Justice of Pakistan has also directed that jail petitions related to undertrial prisoners be streamlined, with clear and predictable timelines introduced from filing to decision. This initiative reflects the judiciary’s commitment to expediting justice while maintaining transparency and fairness in the legal process.

The court’s initiative is expected to significantly reduce delays in the criminal justice system and provide timely relief to affected prisoners and their families.
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Pakistan

DeathPenalty

SupremeCourt

CriminalJustice
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