The Supreme Court on Wednesday clarified that filing an appeal or review petition does not stop the enforcement of court rulings. The court stressed that judicial decisions must be followed unless a formal stay order is in place.
A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, issued this judgment in a case involving the Chief Land Commissioner Punjab and the Auqaf Department Bahawalpur. The case relates to a decade-old Lahore High Court verdict that instructed revenue authorities to review certain matters under legal rules.
Chief Justice Afridi noted that despite the clear orders from the high court, the Deputy Land Commissioner Bahawalpur did not take action. During the hearing, the Additional Advocate General admitted there was no stay on the Lahore High Court ruling. The Supreme Court said this confirmed no legal reason existed to delay the decision’s implementation.
The court expressed concern over a recurring problem of remanded cases being ignored or delayed. It described this behavior as “systemic administrative negligence” that harms the justice system and reduces public confidence.
The Supreme Court emphasized, “Filing an appeal alone does not cancel a court’s ruling unless a stay order is granted.” The judgment urged authorities to carry out court decisions sincerely and without delay.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court instructed the Board of Revenue Punjab to develop clear policies to ensure timely enforcement of judicial rulings. The court also ordered a compliance report to be submitted to the Supreme Court Registrar within three months.
This ruling highlights the Supreme Court’s strong stance on enforcing court decisions promptly. It sends a clear message that judicial orders must be respected and followed, strengthening the rule of law in the country.
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