Ghulam Jillani Deceased Through Legal Heirs vs Province Of Punjab Etc.

This matter originated as a petition filed in the year 2000, which remained pending before the Supreme Court of Pakistan for several years. Throughout the proceedings, the case saw minimal progress, characterized primarily by repeated adjournments requested by the petitioners' counsel. When the matter came up for hearing, the petitioners' counsel again sought an adjournment. The Court observed that, given the significant passage of time and the lack of substantive activity, no live controversy subsisted between the parties, rendering the petition effectively infructuous. Consequently, the Court disposed of the petition on the basis that it had become infructuous due to the lack of prosecution and the absence of a live issue. However, in the interest of justice, the Court granted the petitioners liberty to seek the revival of the petition through a miscellaneous application should they demonstrate that a valid cause of action still exists and requires adjudication. This order emphasizes the Court's stance against the indefinite pendency of inactive litigation.