ISLAMABAD: A dinner reception honoring outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJ) Qazi Faez Isa took place on Thursday night, but several Supreme Court judges were notably absent, raising eyebrows amid ongoing discussions of conspiracy surrounding the appointment of Justice Yahya Khan Afridi.
The event, organized by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), coincided with CJ Isa’s retirement on October 25. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, expected to succeed CJ Isa, was among the five judges who did not attend, having traveled for Umrah with his family.
The controversy intensified following the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment on October 21, which altered the procedure for appointing the chief justice. Critics argue that this change facilitated a conspiracy to appoint the more junior Justice Afridi, selected by a newly formed parliamentary committee.
Absent from the reception were Justices Munib Akhtar, Athar Minallah, Ayesha Malik, and Shahid Waheed. Attendees included the newly appointed Chief Justice Afridi, along with Justices Musarrat Hilali, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and others, as well as chief justices from high courts nationwide.
A luncheon in honor of CJ Isa is scheduled for Friday, organized by Justice Afridi, who is personally funding the event after CJ Isa declined to use government resources.
Thursday marked CJ Isa’s final day of case hearings, during which he participated in a bench reviewing ten cases, with four resolved and six adjourned. A full court reference in his honor is set for 10:30 am today, while seven benches will continue hearing cases.
