Haji REHMAT ULLAH vs SETTLEMENT AND REHABILITATION COMMISSIONER, LAHORE AND Another

This matter came before the Supreme Court of Pakistan as a petition for leave to appeal. The core legal question addressed by the Court concerned the maintainability of the petition in light of the limitation period prescribed for filing. Upon reviewing the record, the Court observed that the petition was filed with a significant delay of 167 days beyond the statutory period allowed for such filings. Consequently, the Court held that the petition was time-barred and could not be entertained. The principle laid down by the Court is that a petition filed beyond the prescribed period of limitation, without sufficient cause or condonation, is liable to be dismissed on the ground of being time-barred. The Court did not delve into the merits of the underlying dispute regarding the Settlement and Rehabilitation Commissioner's decision, as the procedural bar of limitation was dispositive of the matter. The petition was accordingly dismissed.