In a significant development, President of Pakistan has approved the appointment of Justice Yahya Afridi as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan. This decision comes after the special parliamentary committee nominated him with a two-thirds majority, marking a pivotal moment for Pakistan’s judiciary.
Profile of Justice Yahya Afridi
Justice Yahya Afridi, born on January 23, 1965, in Dera Ismail Khan, has had an illustrious career in the legal profession. He completed his early education at Aitchison College, Lahore, and pursued his higher education at Government College, Lahore. He holds an MA in Economics from Punjab University and an LLM degree from Jesus College, Cambridge University, where he studied under the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship.
Justice Afridi began his legal journey in 1990 when he started practicing as a lawyer in the High Court. In 2004, he became a practicing lawyer in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. His career saw further growth when he served as the Assistant Advocate General for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Judicial Appointments and Key Roles
In 2010, Justice Afridi appointed as an Additional Judge of the Peshawar High Court, and he became a permanent judge in March 2012. His leadership further recognized when he took the oath as Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court on December 30, 2016. His appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan followed on June 28, 2018.
Throughout his career, Justice Yahya Afridi has played a pivotal role in several important cases in the superior judiciary. One of his notable contributions was in the case regarding the reserved seats of the Sunni Ittehad Council, where he penned a significant dissenting note. He was also part of the nine-member larger bench addressing the presidential reference on the execution of former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
A Mark of Integrity
Justice Afridi’s dedication to upholding the principles of justice was evident in his recent decision to decline participation in the three-member judges’ committee for the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Ordinance 2024. His commitment to judicial independence has earned him widespread respect within the legal community.
As Justice Yahya Afridi prepares to take on the role of Chief Justice, his extensive experience and integrity expected to lead the Supreme Court of Pakistan through critical legal and constitutional challenges. His appointment seen as a positive step for the country’s judicial system, promising impartiality and dedication to the rule of law.
