The Supreme Court directs trial courts to conclude May 9-related cases within four months

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed trial courts to conclude all cases related to the May 9 incident within four months. The decision was made by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi during a hearing concerning the cancellation of bail for several accused individuals involved in the May 9 incident.

The court’s directive emphasises the need for the timely resolution of these cases, which have attracted considerable attention nationwide. During the proceedings, a defence lawyer raised concerns about the practicality of completing the trials within the set timeframe. He argued, “We are facing 35 cases; it is not possible to conclude all trials in such a short period.”

In response to these concerns, Chief Justice Afridi highlighted his previous experience as Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, recalling how the high-profile Mashal Khan murder case in Mardan was concluded in just three months. “Anti-terrorism courts are capable of delivering timely performance,” he asserted.

This ruling comes just a day after the Supreme Court issued another order instructing trial courts to conclude all cases within three months. The recent directives underscore the court’s commitment to ensuring swift justice and timely resolution of high-profile cases.