The Supreme Court of Pakistan has dismissed an appeal filed by the federal government in a service matter, declaring it time-barred. The Court also rejected the government’s request for condonation of delay.
Justice Ayesha Malik, in a written judgment, held that the government is entitled to the same protocol in court as an ordinary citizen.
“The government is not a unique litigant; it is equally bound by the law like any private individual,” the judgment stated.
The Court observed that while the state requires citizens to strictly comply with the law, it often advances various excuses when it comes to delays on its own part. Internal office rules or administrative difficulties, the judgment noted, cannot override statutory limitation periods.
The Court further remarked that factors such as shortage of government officers, non-convening of committee meetings, or transfer of officials are internal administrative matters of the government and cannot be cited as valid grounds to justify delay.
The state cannot shift the burden of its inefficiency or bureaucratic lethargy onto the court or the opposing party.
According to the written decision, compliance with the law is not subject to the convenience of officials but requires discipline and adherence to prescribed timelines. The Court made it clear that the other party cannot be penalized for bureaucratic inefficiency.
The record showed that the federal government filed the appeal with a delay of 20 days beyond the prescribed statutory period of 60 days. The Court declared the appeal inadmissible and dismissed it accordingly.