THESE six judges did not attend full court reference of outgoing CJP Isa

Six judges of the Supreme Court (SC) did not attend a full court reference held on Frida at the Supreme Court to honor the outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who is set to retire. 

Justice Isa, who has been serving as the 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan since September 17, 2023, also inaugurated the under-construction Fundamental Rights Monument at the Supreme Court.

On his final day, he focused on chamber work rather than hearing cases.

The ceremony was attended by Justice Yahya Afridi, who will succeed Justice Isa as the 30th Chief Justice of Pakistan, as well as Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan and representatives of bar councils. Justice Isa's wife, Sarina Isa, was also present.

However two senior judges including Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar skipped the ceremony over reported 'division' while four other judges including Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Athar Minalah and others also did not attend the full court reference over 'unknown' reasons.

Tomorrow, President Asif Ali Zardari will administer the oath to Justice Yahya Afridi at the President's House, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the services chief, governors, chief ministers, National Assembly speaker, Senate chairman, and federal ministers in attendance.

Justice Shah's accusations

Supreme Court Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah did not attend Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa’s farewell reference on Friday as he believed that CJP Isa allowed external interference in the judiciary.

“I had not attended former CJP Saqib Nisar’s farewell reference due to his overspeeding on the constitution, and I will not attend CJP Isa’s reference as well.”

Justice Masoor Ali Shah was set to be a successor to CJP Isa, according to the seniority rule, but the amendment was made just five days before his appointment ended the seniority level and allowed the parliamentary committee to select CJP Yahya over him.

However, the current letter written by Justice Mansoor to the SC registrar indicated that he opposes the recently materialised 26th constitutional amendment, saying, “Farewell reference aims to appreciate the outgoing CJP, but transitions depend on the people's merit, like organisations.”

“Ex-CJP Nisar has exceeded his constitutional role, due to which I have not attended his farewell. I shared the reasons by writing a letter on January 17, 2019,” he added in a letter.

“I will not attend CJP Isa’s reference as well,” Justice Mansoor added.