Yahya Afridi sworn in as 30th Chief Justice of Pakistan - How will his tenure impact the judicial system in Pakistan?

[FearlessRoar]

Justice Yahya Afridi has been sworn in as the Chief Justice of Pakistan at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (President's House), with President Asif Ali Zardari administering the oath. The ceremony, held in Islamabad, saw the attendance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, military chiefs, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Punjab Governor Saleem Haider, as well as other distinguished guests and senior judges from the Supreme Court, including Justices Ayesha Malik and Athar Minallah.

Justice Afridi, hailing from the Afridi tribe in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has a background marked by public service and a solid legal education. Born in Dera Ismail Khan on January 23, 1965, he began his academic journey at Aitchison College, Lahore, and then pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Government College, Lahore, followed by a Master’s in Economics from Punjab University. Furthering his legal education, he completed an LL.M. at Cambridge’s Jesus College under a Commonwealth Scholarship and later participated in a scholarship for young Commonwealth lawyers at the Institute of Legal Studies in London.

Justice Afridi’s career spans various significant legal roles. After an internship in London, he returned to Pakistan to work with Orr, Dignam & Co. in Karachi and later began his private practice in Peshawar, where he also taught International, Labour, and Administrative Law at Khyber Law College, University of Peshawar. His judicial experience deepened when he was appointed as an Assistant Advocate General for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and then served as a Federal Counsel for the government. He rose through the ranks, becoming a High Court advocate in 1990 and a Supreme Court advocate in 2004. In 2010, Justice Afridi was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Peshawar High Court, securing a permanent position in 2012.

With his experience, Justice Afridi is anticipated to bring a strong commitment to justice and reform as the new Chief Justice of Pakistan. His tenure may likely emphasize fair judicial processes and increased efficiency in case management, aiming to strengthen Pakistan’s legal system by upholding principles of impartiality and public service.

What kind of impact do you think Justice Afridi will have on Pakistan’s judicial system? Are there specific areas where you hope to see changes under his leadership?

 

[FearlessRoar]

CJP Justice Yahya Afridi ‘appoints’ staff to his office

As per details, senior private secretary Muhammad Yasin has been appointed secretary to CJP Justice Yahya Afirdi, while senior private secretary Muhammad Arif has been appointed executive officer to CJP Afridi.

The sources further said that new registrar SC will also be appointed soon.

Justice Yahya Afridi was sworn in as the 30th chief justice of Pakistan, last week.

He was administered the oath of office by President Asif Zardari during a ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir were also in attendance, along with all judges of the apex court.

Justice Yahya Afridi is serving in the top judicial office for the next three years following the recently passed 26th constitutional amendment.

The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, following which the notification for Justice Afridi’s appointment was read out.

CJP Justice Yahya Afridi 'appoints' staff to his office

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi Thursday appointed important staff to his office, ARY News reported, citing sources. As

arynews.tv

 

[Kianig89]

In a puzzle so far, new CJP as per govt wishes is not on the same path , let's see how things pan out so far he has kept govt in a guessing game.

Ammendment might be challenged in courts whispers in the capital

 

[Bewal Express]

I will be amazed if the new CJP isn't their man. He won't be as bad as the crooked Qazi but who will ever surpass such a horrible, evil man. He will play it clever but when the crunch comes and that will come soon with the challenge to the election under article 184, he will do as he has always done- fudge. If he was true to his oath then the form 47 guys will be shown the door and the rightful winners should be in parliament.

 

[Kianig89]

I will be amazed if the new CJP isn't their man. He won't be as bad as the crooked Qazi but who will ever surpass such a horrible, evil man. He will play it clever but when the crunch comes and that will come soon with the challenge to the election under article 184, he will do as he has always done- fudge. If he was true to his oath then the form 47 guys will be shown the door and the rightful winners should be in parliament.

Wait and see , from top to bottom every concerned person in Pakistan is holding their cards till US elections

 

[mazkhan]

I will be amazed if the new CJP isn't their man. He won't be as bad as the crooked Qazi but who will ever surpass such a horrible, evil man. He will play it clever but when the crunch comes and that will come soon with the challenge to the election under article 184, he will do as he has always done- fudge. If he was true to his oath then the form 47 guys will be shown the door and the rightful winners should be in parliament.

Masterstroke by the sharifs and establishment

First tribal CJP

 

[Bewal Express]

Masterstroke by the sharifs and establishment

First tribal CJP

We don't need labels of ethnicity- just honest people. Let's wait and see about him

 

[Bewal Express]

Wait and see , from top to bottom every concerned person in Pakistan is holding their cards till US elections

They fear the Americans more than they fear Allah. Only man one has ever shown some courage and the men with guns locked him up

 

[FearlessRoar]

CJ determined to purge judiciary of 'executive meddling'​

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has wasted no time in drawing a clear line against interference by executive agencies in the superior courts' judicial functions, setting himself apart from his predecessor.

CJP Yahya Afridi, unlike his predecessor, has taken a decisive stance against interference by executive agencies in the judicial functions of the superior courts.

Sources reveal that shortly after assuming office, CJP Afridi met with six Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges, who had written a letter on March 25 to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) seeking guidance on agency interference in judicial matters.

Instead of offering direct guidance, the top court, with a majority of members, had previously supported ex-CJP Qazi Faez Isa's preference to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss forming an inquiry commission to investigate the IHC judges' claims.

While the prime minister agreed to establish the commission, the proposed head, ex-CJP Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, declined to participate. Consequently, the SC initiated suo motu proceedings based on the letter from the six IHC judges.

During the proceedings, both the Lahore High Court (LHC) and the Peshawar High Court (PHC) admitted that agency interference in judicial matters is an "open secret".

The LHC also highlighted concerns about the alleged harassment of two anti-terrorism court (ATC) judges, whose reports were forwarded to the Supreme Court Registrar for review by the larger bench addressing the IHC judges' letter.

Justice Afridi had previously recused himself from sitting on this bench.

CJP Afridi emphasised that concerns raised by judges should align with the SJC's code of conduct. "High courts are independent courts under the Constitution. Article 184/3 should not be invoked on the independence of high courts," he stated.

Despite this, the larger bench has not resumed the suo motu hearing for the past five months.

Meanwhile, a campaign of defamation and alleged "witch-hunting" targeted the six IHC judges, with misconduct complaints filed against some of them. Against this backdrop, CJP Afridi's meeting with the IHC judges holds considerable significance.

Legal experts believe that, unlike his predecessor, Afridi will evolve an effective strategy to address any executive interference in judicial matters.

A senior government official confirmed to The Express Tribune that CJP Afridi has asserted the necessity of upholding the principle of trichotomy of powers, ensuring that neither the judiciary overreaches into other institutions' affairs, nor should other branches interfere with the judiciary.

CJP Afridi has also convened a SJC meeting on November 8, though the agenda remains undisclosed.

Several pending misconduct complaints in the SJC involve superior court judges, including the IHC chief justice, the chief election commissioner, and other Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) members.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali and Justice Munib Akhtar serve as SJC members, -alongside IHC CJ Aamer Farooq and the Balochistan High Court chief justice.

CJP Afridi has also called for a gathering of administrative judges of anti-terrorism courts on November 7 to review progress reportsa notable development as trials of PTI workers in terrorism cases continue to face delays.

A senior lawyer familiar with CJP Afridi expressed optimism, stating that Afridi was committed to unifying the judiciary and protecting judges from external influence.

"Judges will be protected, and there will be no interference in the high courts," he asserted, adding that uniting the Supreme Court is Afridi's most significant challenge after years of division.

A united judiciary, he said, would be better positioned to resist executive pressure.

Currently, the superior judiciary faces mounting pressure from executive authorities, especially with the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The proceedings of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), where the executive's influence has grown, pose another major test for CJP Afridi.

The JCP, responsible for nominating judges and forming constitutional benches, now faces government plans to increase the number of Supreme Court judges.

Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice also approved the proposal to expand the number of judges from 17 to 25, with the government pushing to elevate judges from each province and form constitutional benches with like-minded judges.

Senators Kamran Murtaza and Hamid Khan opposed the increase, arguing that the Supreme Court should be consulted first as a primary stakeholder. However, the majority of committee members did not support this view.

CJ determined to purge judiciary of 'executive meddling' | The Express Tribune

CJ determined to purge judiciary of 'executive meddling'

tribune.com.pk