Justice Yahya Afridi to Take Oath as Chief Justice of Pakistan
As Justice Yahya Afridi prepares to take oath on Saturday as the chief justice of Pakistan, the legal community across the country remains divided. Some bodies, including the SCBA and Sindh Bar Council, support his appointment, while others, such as the Karachi bar and Balochistan lawyers, warn of demonstrations in support of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.
President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the new appointment following the promulgation of the 26th Amendment, which allows the government to abandon the seniority principle for the CJP’s appointment. The oath-taking ceremony will be held at the Presidency, with around 300 guests expected to attend.
While Justice Isa is set to retire on October 25, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who would have become the CJP under different circumstances, is currently out of the country on Umrah. The legal community is split on the recent constitutional amendments, with some hailing Justice Afridi’s appointment as a positive step and others condemning it as a political tactic to undermine the judiciary’s independence.
The Karachi Bar Association and Sindh Bar Council welcome Justice Afridi’s appointment, while Balochistan lawyers urge him not to accept the post. The future of the judiciary in Pakistan remains uncertain as the legal community grapples with these developments.
Sumair Abdullah in Karachi and Saleem Shahid in Quetta also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2024