As Pakistan’s judiciary turns a page, the retirement of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa and the appointment of Justice Yahya Afridi as his successor signals both a close to a significant era and the beginning of a promising new one. In his brief yet impactful tenure, Justice Isa garnered widespread respect for his unflinching dedication to integrity and transparency, reshaping judicial norms that have historically veiled the workings of Pakistan’s highest courts. His reforms, which included live broadcasts of key court proceedings and a break from closed-chamber hearings, were a bold step toward a judiciary that is accountable to the public. In this, Isa delivered a clear message: Pakistan’s courts are not just for the elite, nor are they immune to scrutiny, embodying the notion that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.
Justice Isa’s legacy stands firmly on his commitment to restoring the sanctity of Pakistan’s Parliament, a respect too often ignored in favor of judicial interventionism. Through landmark rulings, he effectively countered judicial overreach, which had frequently encroached upon parliamentary authority, reshaping constitutional interpretation to reflect a balanced separation of powers. His leadership was celebrated at a farewell attended by prominent figures, who praised his unwavering defense of the Constitution and his efforts to maintain the independence of Pakistan’s judiciary.
Justice Yahya Afridi, stepping into the role of Chief Justice, lauded Isa’s transformative achievements, particularly in areas such as women’s inheritance rights and his openness to diverse judicial opinions. Afridi’s appreciation for these values underscores his own approach to leadership, one rooted in inclusivity and a staunch commitment to upholding the Constitution. In his oath-taking address, he vowed to maintain judicial integrity, advocate for all judges irrespective of rank, and to resolve longstanding grievances within the bar associations—issues that have long strained the relationship between the bench and the bar. Afridi’s tenure, with a three-year horizon, holds substantial potential to address systemic challenges in Pakistan’s legal landscape.
Yet, the transition has not been without its strains. The absence of six Supreme Court judges from Isa’s farewell and a sharply critical letter from another judge on Isa’s approach underscore a certain discord within the judiciary, a rift that serves as a reminder of the internal hurdles that Justice Afridi will need to navigate. Such tensions, however, do not detract from Afridi’s potential; rather, they highlight the urgency of unifying the judiciary and moving forward with a clear, cohesive vision for reform.
Afridi’s reputation as a jurist steadfastly loyal to constitutional principles lends hope for a judiciary focused less on factionalism and more on delivering justice grounded in rule of law. His tenure is an opportunity to enact reforms that may finally address the flaws entrenched within Pakistan’s judicial system, particularly within the lower courts, where inefficiencies and corruption have long stymied the dispensation of justice. Pakistan’s position on the World Justice Project’s rule of law index, where it ranks 129th out of 142 countries, remains a stark indictment of these failures.
Now, with Justice Afridi at the helm, Pakistan’s judiciary has the chance to build a system that earns the people’s trust—a judiciary free from corruption, factionalism, and undue influence. If Afridi succeeds in cementing these ideals, his legacy will be one of unwavering constitutional fidelity and judicial accountability, marking a transformative period in Pakistan’s legal history.
