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

 

[hassan918]

CJP launches push for jail reforms in KP​

ISLAMABAD: In a landmark step toward judicial reform, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi chaired a pivotal meeting at the Supreme Court’s Peshawar Branch Registry the other day.

The meeting resolved to form a sub-committee dedicated to reforming prison systems in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and drafting a comprehensive package of reforms, said a press release issued on Saturday.

The sub-committee, led by Justice Ijaz Anwar Khan of the Peshawar High Court, includes retired Justice Qalandar Ali Khan, social worker Ms. Ayesha Bano and members from both government and opposition, alongside representatives from the Inspector General of Prisons and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP).

This committee will assess prison conditions, address issues of under-trial prisoners, and propose rehabilitative programs like vocational training, mental health support, and education to prepare inmates for reintegration into society.

These efforts aim to align provincial reforms with a forthcoming National Jail Reform Policy, ensuring a fairer, more humane criminal justice system nationwide.

Justice Yahya Afridi praised the Peshawar High Court for releasing 1,289 prisoners involved in petty crimes and lauded the bravery of KP Police in countering terrorist threats.

He also emphasized the urgent need to upgrade forensic science facilities to strengthen evidence-based investigations.

The meeting, attended by prominent judicial and administrative leaders, including KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel and Inspector General Police Akhtar Hayat Khan, also prayed for victims of a recent tragedy in Kurram.

The National Jail Reform Policy aims to establish a rehabilitative, transparent, and constitutionally compliant correctional framework aligned with international standards.

This collaborative initiative marks a significant step towards addressing inefficiencies in Pakistan’s criminal justice system.

Earlier on November 5, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting held today with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi in chair, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

Senior Puisne Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Aminuddin Khan were among the Supreme Court judges attended the session.

The meeting was also attended by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Pakistan Bar Council’s representative Advocate Akhtar Hussain, People’s Party’s Farooq H Naik, PML-N’s Shaikh Aftab Ahmed and Roshan Khurshid Barrucha.

The meeting discussed the agenda items, including formation of Constitutional Benches and the setup of the Judicial Commission’s Secretariat.

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi had summoned the maiden Judicial Commission of Pakistan meeting on November 5 (today).

Earlier, the Supreme Court’s full court had vowed to decide around 60,000 pending cases at the earliest.

Source: ARY NEWS

 

[FearlessRoar]

Supreme Court disposes of 4,372 cases in one month​

The Supreme Court of Pakistan released its monthly performance report, highlighting significant progress in clearing the backlog of pending cases.

According to the data, the apex court disposed of 4,372 cases between October 28 and November 29, while 1,853 new cases were filed during the same period.

The statement attributed the progress to the tireless efforts of the Chief Justice and his fellow judges, emphasising that judicial reforms remain a top priority on the chief justice's agenda.

The court's announcement underscored its commitment to reducing delays in the justice delivery system and ensuring the swift resolution of cases.

Supreme Court disposes of 4,372 cases in one month

Performance of the top court

dunyanews.tv

 

[BouncerGuy]

CJP Afridi calls JCP meeting to consider nomination for constitutional bench

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Friday called Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s meeting on Dec 6 to consider Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan’s nomination to become eighth judge of the constitutional bench, formed under the 26th amendment.

The meeting has been called against the backdrop of a request made to the commission by the three-judge committee after realising that one of the judges on the existing seven-member bench, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, was also part of the Supreme Court bench that had declared the military trial of May 9 violence suspects unconstitutional.

Since the ruling is under challenge before the seven-judge bench through intracourt appeals and Justice Malik was part of the earlier judgement, she may not be able to hear them.

The Shuhada Forum Balochistan also moved an application before the SC with a request for early fixation of the set of pending ICAs, pointing out that the right to life and liberty of individuals cannot be curtailed in any manner whatsoever under Article 9.

Besides, the JCP in its meeting next week may also consider elevation of 21 nominations for the vacant position of additional judges of the Sindh and Peshawar high courts.

Backlog of cases

On the other hand, the SC in a significant stride in the dispensation of justice disposed of as many as 4,372 cases during the last one month. Also, 1,853 new cases were instituted from Oct 28 to Nov 29.

According to a statement, the achievement reflects a renewed impetus towards clearing the backlog of cases and providing timely relief, as the CJP along with other judges work relentlessly to ensure that the top court remains responsive to the needs of the public.

In addition to accelerating case disposal, the statement said, the CJP placed judicial reforms at the forefront of his agenda. Over the past month, Justice Afridi chaired several sessions to review progress in key areas, particularly IT advancement to modernise court operations, improve case management and optimise human resources. The efforts aim to streamline workflows, reduce delays, and enhance the capacity of judicial staff.

DAWN NEWS

 

[Suleiman]

An Afridi at the helm always bodes well for Pakistan.

 

[Bewal Express]

He has no authorities

 

[FearlessRoar]

CJ Afridi passes full court buck to constitutional bench​

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has passed the buck to the committee of constitutional benches for the formation of a full court to hear petitions challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

A three-judge committee, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan and comprising Justices Muhammad Ali Mazahar and Jamal Khan Mandokhail, will decide the total number of members for the constitutional bench hearing such petitions.

Interestingly, the committee itself is the creation of the amendment which is being challenged.

The judges for constitutional benches were selected by government representatives during the first meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP). Likewise, two members of the constitutional bench have also supported the government's suggestion to nominate Justice K K Agha as head of the Sindh High Court's constitutional bench.

The government, it seems, is completely satisfied with the Supreme Court's constitutional bench, especially the head Justice Aminuddin. A debate also continues as to whether CJP Afridi could have formed a full court to hear petitions against the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, in his recent letter, noted that Clause 3 of the newly-added Article 191-A of the Constitution bars the hearing of matters specified therein by any bench of the Supreme Court other than a constitutional bench, but does not bar the full court of the Supreme Court from hearing any matter, including petitions filed under Article 184-3 of the Constitution.

"The distinction between the full court and the benches of a court is well established and explicitly recognised in Article 203J(2)(c) & (d) of the Constitution," he wrote.

"However, if your lordship has any doubt regarding this constitutional position, the same may also be judicially decided by the full court of the SC before addressing the merits of the said petitions," continues Justice Shah in his letter to CJP Afridi.

Meanwhile, six renowned lawyers have written letters to CJP Afridi for the formation of the full court, including former Supreme Court Bar Association presidents Hamid Khan, Muneer A Malik, Abid Zuberi, as well as ex-Sindh High Court Bar Association president Salahuddin Ahmed, Khwaja Ahmed Hosain and Zainab Janjua.

The details of their respective petitions are mentioned in which they state that the earliest such petition was presented at the registry on October 24, 2024.

"A month has passed and despite the constitutional and public urgency of the matter, the cases are not closer to being fixed for hearing. Even more surprisingly, none of the petitions were assigned a number in the registry. Also, office objections to the petitions have not been communicated by the registrar," the lawyers note.

The letter states that some of these petitions were presented before the first meeting of the new JCP and the formation of constitutional benches. "They included specific prayers for interim relief, and urgent applications for listings of the matter."

It is worth mentioning that Section 7 of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 explicitly requires that an application pleading urgency, or seeking interim relief, shall be fixed for hearing within fourteen days from the date of its filing.

"The delay is inexplicable," according to these senior lawyers.

All of the petitioners seek that their applications be taken up and heard by a full court of the SC, as they existed before the passing of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

"Needless to say, the very creation of a legislative instrument cannot examine the vires of the instrument that creates it," the lawyers state.

They also urge CJP Afridi to initiate an inquiry into the unprecedented manner in which the court office dealt with these petitions. They asked that he ensure that all the petitions are placed before the full court as already decided by the majority of the Practice & Procedure Committee, as per its decision of October 31, 2024.

Former additional attorney general Tariq Mahmood Khokhar says that the 26th Constitutional Amendment rewrote the fundamentals of the judiciary.

"It constitutes a violation of the constitution and subverts it by other means. Petitions challenging it are of utmost urgency, and must be heard by the full court.

Yet, the CJP is unmoved."

He says the effect will be to present the people of Pakistan with a fait accompli; enabling the executive-controlled judicial commission to nominate judges to constitutional divisions and appoint new judges thereby packing courts.

"This will increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 17 to 34, thereby creating a permanent majority favouring the established order. The supreme court is under assault from within and without: inbred kowtowing to the extraneous forces," he asserts.

"There are honourable exceptions, but if the present state of affairs continues, the 26th Constitutional Amendment will have created facts rendering all petitions infructuous and superfluous."

He also believes that Justice Shah has the capacity and the moral courage to enable damage control and restore some semblance of status quo ante. "However, the CJP appears determined to thwart him," he concludes.

CJ Afridi passes full court buck to constitutional bench | The Express Tribune

CJ Afridi passes full court buck to constitutional bench

tribune.com.pk

 

[FearlessRoar]

People should not clap for judges: CJP​

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Yahya Afridi said that people should not clap for the judges as it harmed what he called their mindset.

Talking to the Ghotki Bar Association, the CJP said that the issues raised by the bar association would be settled as per commitment.

The CJP pledged to maintain the dignity of the court at any cost.

He said that the Sindh High Court CJ informed him about all the problems they faced.

On the occasion, the CJP Afridi said that district Ghotki was better compared to many districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

People should not clap for judges: CJP

CJP Yahya Afridi pledged to maintain dignity of court at any cost

dunyanews.tv

 

[Bewal Express]

CJ Afridi passes full court buck to constitutional bench​

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has passed the buck to the committee of constitutional benches for the formation of a full court to hear petitions challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

A three-judge committee, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan and comprising Justices Muhammad Ali Mazahar and Jamal Khan Mandokhail, will decide the total number of members for the constitutional bench hearing such petitions.

Interestingly, the committee itself is the creation of the amendment which is being challenged.

The judges for constitutional benches were selected by government representatives during the first meeting of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP). Likewise, two members of the constitutional bench have also supported the government's suggestion to nominate Justice K K Agha as head of the Sindh High Court's constitutional bench.

The government, it seems, is completely satisfied with the Supreme Court's constitutional bench, especially the head Justice Aminuddin. A debate also continues as to whether CJP Afridi could have formed a full court to hear petitions against the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, in his recent letter, noted that Clause 3 of the newly-added Article 191-A of the Constitution bars the hearing of matters specified therein by any bench of the Supreme Court other than a constitutional bench, but does not bar the full court of the Supreme Court from hearing any matter, including petitions filed under Article 184-3 of the Constitution.

"The distinction between the full court and the benches of a court is well established and explicitly recognised in Article 203J(2)(c) & (d) of the Constitution," he wrote.

"However, if your lordship has any doubt regarding this constitutional position, the same may also be judicially decided by the full court of the SC before addressing the merits of the said petitions," continues Justice Shah in his letter to CJP Afridi.

Meanwhile, six renowned lawyers have written letters to CJP Afridi for the formation of the full court, including former Supreme Court Bar Association presidents Hamid Khan, Muneer A Malik, Abid Zuberi, as well as ex-Sindh High Court Bar Association president Salahuddin Ahmed, Khwaja Ahmed Hosain and Zainab Janjua.

The details of their respective petitions are mentioned in which they state that the earliest such petition was presented at the registry on October 24, 2024.

"A month has passed and despite the constitutional and public urgency of the matter, the cases are not closer to being fixed for hearing. Even more surprisingly, none of the petitions were assigned a number in the registry. Also, office objections to the petitions have not been communicated by the registrar," the lawyers note.

The letter states that some of these petitions were presented before the first meeting of the new JCP and the formation of constitutional benches. "They included specific prayers for interim relief, and urgent applications for listings of the matter."

It is worth mentioning that Section 7 of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 explicitly requires that an application pleading urgency, or seeking interim relief, shall be fixed for hearing within fourteen days from the date of its filing.

"The delay is inexplicable," according to these senior lawyers.

All of the petitioners seek that their applications be taken up and heard by a full court of the SC, as they existed before the passing of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

"Needless to say, the very creation of a legislative instrument cannot examine the vires of the instrument that creates it," the lawyers state.

They also urge CJP Afridi to initiate an inquiry into the unprecedented manner in which the court office dealt with these petitions. They asked that he ensure that all the petitions are placed before the full court as already decided by the majority of the Practice & Procedure Committee, as per its decision of October 31, 2024.

Former additional attorney general Tariq Mahmood Khokhar says that the 26th Constitutional Amendment rewrote the fundamentals of the judiciary.

"It constitutes a violation of the constitution and subverts it by other means. Petitions challenging it are of utmost urgency, and must be heard by the full court.

Yet, the CJP is unmoved."

He says the effect will be to present the people of Pakistan with a fait accompli; enabling the executive-controlled judicial commission to nominate judges to constitutional divisions and appoint new judges thereby packing courts.

"This will increase the number of Supreme Court justices from 17 to 34, thereby creating a permanent majority favouring the established order. The supreme court is under assault from within and without: inbred kowtowing to the extraneous forces," he asserts.

"There are honourable exceptions, but if the present state of affairs continues, the 26th Constitutional Amendment will have created facts rendering all petitions infructuous and superfluous."

He also believes that Justice Shah has the capacity and the moral courage to enable damage control and restore some semblance of status quo ante. "However, the CJP appears determined to thwart him," he concludes.

CJ Afridi passes full court buck to constitutional bench | The Express Tribune

CJ Afridi passes full court buck to constitutional bench

tribune.com.pk

Yes. Ask a bench of criminals appointed illegally to declare their criminality
CJP is just as big Crook as Isa

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Top judge says judiciary is no more divided​

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi has said all judges of the Supreme Court are brothers and gone are the days when the apex court judges took positions against each other.

During an interaction with court reporters in the federal capital on Monday, Justice Afridi said, "The past three-four years were really tough [at the SC] due to an onslaught of [political] cases. However, the time is over when judges took positions against each other."

Justice Yahya likened the Supreme Court to "Titanic", stating that it is not easy to bring about sudden changes in such a huge institution, to reform which numerous steps have already been taken. "Give us [the judges] some time and things will be streamlined," he added,

He said the authority of high courts is held in high regard and there will be no direct interference with the authority of high courts or subordinate courts. "The direction of the Supreme Court can be adjusted to improve the delivery of justice," he added.

According to Justice Afridi, he was shaken by missing persons' cases during his recent visits to Balochistan's Quetta and Gwadar cities. He said during prison visits, inmates expressed grievances about prolonged delays in case resolutions by the Supreme Court, which he found deeply embarrassing.

He acknowledged Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah's significant contributions to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and announced plans to train retired judges in ADR at the Federal Judicial Academy.

The CJ said proceedings on complaints against judges are ongoing in the Supreme Judicial Council.

Source: The Express Tribune

 

[FearlessRoar]

CJP chairs Judicial Commission session to name 12 SHC judges

The judicial commission meeting in the Supreme Court will consider over 46 nominees for appointment of 12 additional judges of the Sindh High Court. The nominees sent to the commission included six district and sessions judges along with 40 lawyers.

The nominees included district and sessions judges Suresh Kumar, Khalid Hussain Shahani, Mushtaq Ahmed Laghari, Tasneem Sultana, Munawar Sultana, and Ameer Ali Mahesar.

The lawyers under consideration are Ali Haider Ada, Nisar Ahmed Bhambhro, Riazat Ali Sahir, Miran Muhammad Shah, Raja Jawad Ali Sehar, Obaidur Rehman Khan, Rafique Ahmed Kalwar, Umaima Anwar Khan, Muhammad Usman Ali Hadi, Umar Lakhani, Mansoor Ghanghro, Zeeshan Abdullah, Muhammad Jaffar Raza, Zulfiqar Solangi, Haq Nawaz Talpur, Abdul Hamid Bhurgri, Dr. Fayaz ul Hassan, Mohsin Shahwani, Qazi Muhammad Bashir, Sandeep Malani, Muhammad Hassan Akbar, Syed Ahmed Shah, Imdad Ali Unar Chaudhry Atif Rafiq, Muhammad Jamshed Malik, Irfan Mir Halepoto, Jan Ali Junejo, Wali Muhammad Khoso, Fayyaz Ahmed, Sammu, Altaf Hussainl Ghulam Mohyuddin, Rashid Mustafa, Arshad Alvi, Syed Tariq Shah, Sagheer Abbasi, Wazir Hussain Khoso, Parkash Kumar, Muhammad Zeeshan, Rehan Aziz and Shazia Hanjra.

The commission’s session will finalize the most suitable candidates for appointment as judges to the Sindh High Court.

CJP chairs Judicial Commission session to name 12 SHC judges

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the judicial commission begins with Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi in chair, citing sources ARY News reported on

arynews.tv

 

[Bewal Express]

Top judge says judiciary is no more divided​

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi has said all judges of the Supreme Court are brothers and gone are the days when the apex court judges took positions against each other.

During an interaction with court reporters in the federal capital on Monday, Justice Afridi said, "The past three-four years were really tough [at the SC] due to an onslaught of [political] cases. However, the time is over when judges took positions against each other."

Justice Yahya likened the Supreme Court to "Titanic", stating that it is not easy to bring about sudden changes in such a huge institution, to reform which numerous steps have already been taken. "Give us [the judges] some time and things will be streamlined," he added,

He said the authority of high courts is held in high regard and there will be no direct interference with the authority of high courts or subordinate courts. "The direction of the Supreme Court can be adjusted to improve the delivery of justice," he added.

According to Justice Afridi, he was shaken by missing persons' cases during his recent visits to Balochistan's Quetta and Gwadar cities. He said during prison visits, inmates expressed grievances about prolonged delays in case resolutions by the Supreme Court, which he found deeply embarrassing.

He acknowledged Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah's significant contributions to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and announced plans to train retired judges in ADR at the Federal Judicial Academy.

The CJ said proceedings on complaints against judges are ongoing in the Supreme Judicial Council.

Source: The Express Tribune

This hasn't aged a week. This corrupt judge shows his true colour. He is owned Muni and co and can't break wind without permission

 

[Kianig89]

Is it possible if Mansoor Ali Shah gets Amin uddin & Yafridi trapped in contempt of court regarding constitutional bench.

Some vloggers were murmuring this or something along the lines @Bewal Express

 

[Bewal Express]

Is it possible if Mansoor Ali Shah gets Amin uddin & Yafridi trapped in contempt of court regarding constitutional bench.

Some vloggers were murmuring this or something along the lines @Bewal Express

Not really. The ISI hold all the cards but it's great to see this latest excrement of the Generals have a few days of unease.

 

[BouncerGuy]

CJP Afridi introduces large-scale reforms into judicial system

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi on Thursday undertook transformative reforms to modernise judiciary and establish it as a model institution that upholds fairness and transparency as well as accessibility to meet standards for judicial excellence. The step also aims to ensure that the justice system remains citizen-focused and responsive to the litigants’ needs.

An official announcement said that advanced information technology systems have been integrated to enhance judicial efficiency, including the e-Affidavit system, which streamlines filing processes, reduces delays and ensures transparency, and a Case Management System enabling litigants and lawyers to instantly access certified case copies, eliminating traditional dispatch delays.

To promote transparency and public trust, feedback mechanisms involving legal practitioners, litigants, and civil society have been introduced, it said.

Recognising the vital role of district judiciary, the CJP paid visit to remote and underserved districts to assess grassroots challenges, enhance institutional capacity and address resource gaps, ensuring equitable access to justice and strengthening public confidence in the judicial system.

To uphold transparency and meritocracy in filling vacancies, the CJP has constituted several committees, comprising senior judges and Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan, to oversee the selection of key appointments, including secretaries of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan (LJCP), the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) and the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC).

The committee tasked with selecting the LJCP secretary is chaired by CJP Afridi and has Justice Ayesha A. Malik and Justice Shahid Waheed as its members to interview the candidates nominated by the chief secretaries of the provinces.

The committee for selection of the JCP secretary consists of Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, and the AGP.

Likewise, the committee that will select the SJC secretary comprises Justice Shah, Justice Akhtar and the AGP.

These committees will interview the candidates, including serving and retired district and sessions judges, nominated by the CJs of the five high courts and chief secretaries of the provinces.

In a separate development, the Pakistan Bar Council elected unopposed Chaudhry Tahir Nasrullah Warraich from Lahore as its vice chairman for the year 2025 while Muhammad Tariq Afridi from Peshawar as a member of its executive committee.

DAWN NEWS

 

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CJP seeks input on judicial reforms from PM, opposition leader

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan to propose improvements to the justice system, which will be taken up in the upcoming National Judicial Policymaking Committee (NJPMC) meeting, expected at the end of February.

In an informal meeting with the media, the CJP also discussed his Tuesday meeting with an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation and acknowledged receiving a letter from PTI founder Imran Khan, who raised concerns over the non-hearing of petitions under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, filed by him and his party regarding alleged human rights violations.

The CJP said Mr Khan’s letter had been forwarded to the Constitutional Committee, which determines the scheduling of cases before the Constitutional Bench, for consideration.

CJP Afridi revealed that he had invited the Prime Minister, through Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan, to visit the Supreme Court along with his team to propose judicial reforms. However, he clarified that the final decision rests with the NJPMC, and high courts, as independent entities, may reject certain suggestions.

Likewise, the opposition leader has also been invited to suggest issues for inclusion in the NJPMC meeting agenda, which will be shared with both leaders in the coming days.

“We have asked both the government and the opposition for their input on judicial improvements because Pakistan belongs to all of us,” the CJP said.

Seniority controversy

Addressing recent concerns regarding judicial seniority, the CJP said the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting on Monday had touched upon the issue of Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges’ seniority, which he himself raised by questioning the inclusion of a particular judge in the seniority list.

“I personally believe that a certain name should not have been included in the seniority list, as I do not consider him among the five most senior judges of the high court,” he said. However, he added that the system had spoken during the JCP meeting, and its decisions must be trusted.

CJP Afridi expressed disappointment that senior judges had chosen to write letters instead of waiting for the JCP proceedings. He argued that judicial transfers should be viewed as a constitutional provision rather than being conflated with seniority issues.

Clarifying his position, the CJP said he would recuse himself from any bench adjudicating the seniority dispute, as he had already expressed his opinion.

He also criticised the absence of certain JCP members during Monday’s meeting, saying it had led to a “very good judge” missing an opportunity for elevation to the Supreme Court.

The CJP further lamented that judges’ letters were reaching the media before his office, citing a case where a letter was publicised even before he had opened it. “Judges become anxious, but it is the fault of chief justices if their fellow judges feel their concerns are not being addressed,” he observed.

Defending judicial appointments, he rejected accusations of court-packing, arguing that Supreme Court judges are now hearing between 30 and 40 cases a day, significantly more than the previous workload of 12 cases per day.

About the appointment of Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb as an acting judge in the Supreme Court, the CJP said he personally wanted him since he has to run the court and wanted someone who could hear and decide corporate and taxation matters pending in the top judiciary.

“My brother judges who used to hear corporate matters are not hearing such cases these days,” the CJP said, adding that Justice Aurangzeb’s inclusion in the Supreme Court did not mean that he would be out of the race for IHC chief justice.

Responding to concerns about a junior judge being elevated over a senior one, he stated that if all JCP members had attended the meeting, senior judges would have been considered.

The CJP also announced that the Code of Conduct for Judges would soon be amended.

Meeting with IMF delegation

On Tuesday, an IMF delegation led by Joel Turkewitz met with CJP Afridi at the Supreme Court, where discussions focused on judicial performance, governance and reforms.

The CJP emphasised that Pakistan’s judiciary is independent and that, as head of the institution, it is his responsibility to protect its autonomy.

He said that while direct engagement with IMF missions is unusual for the judiciary, the Finance Division had requested this interaction.

CJP Afridi highlighted key constitutional developments with respect to the JCP and reforms, including senior-level judicial appointments, judicial accountability and the restructuring of the commission.

He elaborated on the merits of integrating the judiciary and the parliamentary committee to ensure a more transparent and efficient judicial selection process and informed that the Supreme Court was finalising a critical agenda for the upcoming NJPMC meeting.

This agenda is being prepared in consultation with various stakeholders, and the IMF mission is invited to share any key proposals.

Discussions during the meeting also centred on judicial accountability and the mechanisms for addressing complaints against judges.

The CJP emphasised the importance of a robust and fair accountability process to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

The IMF delegation acknowledged the judiciary’s role in maintaining legal and institutional stability and expressed its appreciation for ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening governance and accountability.

The discussion reaffirmed a shared commitment to enhancing judicial efficiency and upholding the rule of law as a cornerstone of economic and social progress.

DAWN NEWS