Delays in Arrest Undermine Justice, Says Four-Page Verdict
ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, has ruled that an immediate arrest must follow the dismissal of pre-arrest bail, emphasizing that law enforcement cannot delay the execution of such court orders under any pretext.
In a strongly worded four-page verdict issued on Thursday, the chief justice asserted that merely filing an appeal with the Supreme Court does not automatically suspend arrest. The judgment comes in response to an appeal filed after the Lahore High Court had rejected the pre-arrest bail applications of Zahid Khan and others.
The court noted that despite the High Court’s dismissal, the police failed to arrest the suspects for over six months, a delay the Supreme Court described as a serious lapse in legal procedure. The bench made it clear that interim relief from arrest must be explicitly granted by the court, and it cannot be assumed based on a pending appeal.
“This kind of delay undermines public trust in the justice system,” the verdict stated, highlighting the importance of enforcing court decisions promptly and without exception. It further criticized law enforcement agencies for treating such judicial orders with administrative laxity.
Chief Justice Afridi emphasized that allowing delays in arrest due to appeals or internal police procedures sets a dangerous precedent and creates space for selective enforcement. He warned that the credibility of the legal system depends on the timely implementation of judicial directives.
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s legal counsel opted to withdraw the appeal, prompting the court to formally dismiss the case.
The ruling serves as a stern reminder to both law enforcement agencies and lower courts that justice must be swift, certain, and clearly executed — especially in matters involving bail rejections.
