The order pointed out that a vague claim of “prior personal engagements” lacks any legal basis
Police officers walk past the Supreme Court of Pakistan building in Islamabad, Pakistan April 6, 2022. REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court has taken strong exception to the growing trend of lawyers seeking adjournments.
The court has also warned lawyers that stays sought without strict adherence to the legal framework and without demonstrable sufficient cause will invite appropriate consequences, including the imposition of compensatory costs under the Supreme Court Rules.
“Despite the legal framework, repeated reminders and the firm position that postponements are only granted with sufficient cause, the case before the Court shows that these principles are not followed in practice.
“We note, with immense disappointment, that the mandate of adjournments is increasingly being flouted by lawyers,” said a seven-page judgment authored by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, while hearing a case in which a lawyer sought an adjournment due to “previous personal engagements.”
The order pointed out that a vague allegation of “prior personal engagements” cannot, on any legal basis, constitute sufficient grounds for postponement.
“If anything, it betrays a callous disregard for professional discipline and a worrying lack of appreciation of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of being a spectator before this court.”
A division bench headed by CJP Afridi observed in its order that official data generated by the court’s IT Directorate reveals a very worrying pattern. Between January 2026 and March 2026, a total of 653 suspensions of lawyers were requested, according to the executive order.
The order further noted that what is more worrying is the fact that an overwhelming majority of adjournments are sought despite the fact that the court is assembled and cases are otherwise ready for hearing, which makes a significant amount of court time unproductive.
“These data clearly reflect a pattern of haphazard, convenience-based requests made in disregard of binding rules and express caveats to cause lists, which is not expected of advocates performing their duties at the highest levels of our justice system,” the order said.
The court made it clear that such practice is completely unacceptable. Lawyers, not only before this Court but throughout Pakistan, must realize the direct link between evictions and the burden they place on the public exchequer.
The court also said that unnecessary adjournments strike at the very heart of access to justice. For plaintiffs, especially those with limited means, repeated adjournments mean increased costs and, in effect, a denial of timely justice.
This in turn erodes public confidence in the justice system and runs counter to the court’s institutional efforts to ensure speedy processing of cases.
