The Supreme Court of Pakistan held a full court reference on Friday to bid farewell to outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, with fellow judges and legal professionals reflecting on his significant contributions during his tenure. Justice Yahya Afridi is set to take oath as the next CJP tomorrow (Saturday), following Isa’s departure.
Justice Isa, who took oath as the 29th CJP on September 17, 2023, attended the ceremony alongside his wife, Sarina Isa, who has been a prominent figure throughout his career. His tenure has been marked by historical judgments, including the famous 2017 Faizabad sit-in case, which reaffirmed the role of law enforcement agencies and fundamental rights of freedom and expression.
Justice Afridi to Succeed Isa
Justice Yahya Afridi, nominated by the newly formed Special Parliamentary Committee (SPC), will take over the reins of the judiciary. In a light-hearted speech, Justice Afridi described Justice Isa as a man of contrasts — gentle and caring but also fierce when provoked. “I have faced such wrath of this bear many times. The experience was not pleasant,” Justice Afridi remarked, adding that despite their differences, Justice Isa was always open to persuasion and dialogue.
Afridi shared that his immediate focus as CJP would be on ensuring justice delivery to the most remote districts in Pakistan, including Jiwani in Balochistan, Tank in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ghotki in Sindh, and Sadiqabad in Punjab. He emphasized the need to improve the judicial process, addressing cases involving women, children, and the disabled, and enhancing court automation and case management.
A Farewell Event with Praise
During the full court reference, Attorney-General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan lauded Justice Isa’s commitment to the principles of democracy, law, and accountability. He highlighted Isa’s efforts to promote women’s rights and freedom of expression, particularly citing his role in the Faizabad sit-in case and his decision to implement live-streaming of court proceedings. The AGP also recalled Isa’s contributions in the lead-up to the February 8 general elections, where he played a key role in uniting stakeholders.
Justice Isa’s tenure was praised for initiating reforms aimed at judicial transparency and accountability, with Isa himself reflecting on his career and the importance of truth and justice. He also acknowledged his wife’s contributions behind the scenes, sharing that she played a key role in several public initiatives, often without seeking recognition.
Judges in Attendance
The full court reference was attended by 16 judges, including ad-hoc and Shariat Appellate Bench members. Several senior judges, including Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar, were absent due to prior commitments. The event was live-streamed on the Supreme Court’s website and its YouTube channel, reflecting the outgoing CJP’s commitment to transparency and public engagement.
As Justice Isa bids farewell, Justice Afridi looks ahead to leading the judiciary, with a focus on ensuring equitable justice across Pakistan’s furthest districts.
