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ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Saturday ordered that if an Advocate-on-Record (AOR) or a litigant (in person), in future, seeks the transfer of a case from any branch registry of the Supreme Court to its principal seat and also wants early fixation, separate applications will have to be filed.
Under the new procedure, a litigant will first file an application for the transfer of the case from an SC branch registry to the principal seat in Islamabad. If the transfer application is allowed, a separate application for early fixation of the same case will then be filed.
However, if an SC bench is available at a branch registry, the litigant may file an application for early fixation at the branch registry, the order clarified.
The order states that whenever a civil or criminal petition is filed at the SC branch registry in Quetta, an option on a specified pro forma will be obtained from the AOR or litigant (in person) as to whether they wish the petition to be heard in Quetta or Islamabad. If the litigant opts for the case to be heard at the principal seat, reasons for the request will be recorded on the option pro forma, which will then be placed before the competent authority for orders.
CJP says separate petitions must for case transfer, urgent hearing
The directions have been issued as a facilitative measure aimed at minimising inconvenience and ensuring timely adjudication. The mechanism is intended to benefit litigants and bar members filing cases at the Quetta branch registry.
The move follows concerns raised by lawyers in Quetta about inconvenience caused by the comparatively limited availability of regular benches at the branch registry due to lower pendency, which often results in difficulties for litigants.
The new arrangement is aimed at providing clarity at the filing stage and enabling more efficient scheduling of cases. It reflects the SC’s commitment to responsive and citizen-centric judicial administration, ensuring that litigants and lawyers from Balochistan have timely, efficient and flexible access to hearings.
Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2026
