PESHAWAR
The appointment of Justice Yahya Afridi as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the legal community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who viewed it as a testament to the collective wisdom of the Parliament.
The legal and constitutional experts strongly believed that this key decision of the Parliament has strongly reflected a thoughtful and unified approach by the lawmakers of Govt and opposition benches, aiming to enhance the judiciary’s integrity and independence.
Warmly welcome the appointment of next Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Yahya Afridi for three years by the President of Pakistan today, the Khyber Pakthunkhwa ‘s legal fraternity, office bearers of Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA) and districts bar associations maintained that it showed the collective acumen of members of the Parliament, hoping that next CJP would uphold supremacy of law and constitution.
Astagafarullah Khan, a former General Secretary of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA), praised Justice Afridi’s qualifications, noting his historic judgments during his tenure as both Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court and as a Supreme Court judge.
“His appointment follows the constitutional procedures outlined in the 1973 Constitution, reflecting the integrity of the process,” Astagirfullah Khan said.
Justice Yahya Afridi’s extensive legal background and reputation for fairness and impartiality are seen as important assets in his new role, he said.
The lawyers expressed the hope that next CJP will prioritize the rule of law and the constitution, ensuring that justice is accessible to all citizens irrespective of financial status and power.
They anticipate that his leadership will not only strengthen the judiciary but also foster public trust in legal institutions.
Justice Afridi, born on January 23, 1965, in Dera Ismail Khan and a member of the Afridi tribe from Kohat, has a distinguished academic background. He completed his early education at Aitchison College in Lahore before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Government College Lahore. He later pursued a Master’s degree in Economics at Punjab University and an LLM from Jesus College, University of Cambridge, after receiving a Commonwealth Scholarship.
Having entered legal practice in Peshawar, Justice Afridi also served as a lecturer at Khyber Law College, teaching International Law, Labour Law, and Administrative Law. He became an advocate of the High Court in 1990 and advanced to the Supreme Court in 2004. His judicial career began in 2010 when he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Peshawar High Court, eventually becoming its Chief Justice in 2016, the first from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to hold that position.
Syed Noman Bukhari, another senior lawyer from Peshawar, emphasized that Afridi’s three-year appointment, endorsed by the President of Pakistan on the Prime Minister’s advice, is a significant honor for KP.
“This landmark decision showcases the Parliament’s collective wisdom, and we hope it will expedite the resolution of long-pending cases in the Supreme Court,” Bukhari stated.
He said this key appointment is viewed as a significant step towards reinforcing democratic values in Pakistan, with the expectation that Justice Afridi will navigate complex legal challenges with impartiality and respect for constitutional principles.
Malik Ashfaq, a senior advocate from Nowshera, echoed these sentiments, expressing confidence that Justice Afridi will prioritize addressing the backlog of cases within the Supreme Court. He noted the growing concern over delays in the judiciary and anticipates that Afridi will play a pivotal role in establishing constitutional benches to tackle this issue effectively.
The reception of Justice Afridi’s appointment reflects a broader consensus among lawyers and legal professionals across Pakistan, who see his leadership as vital for the judicial system’s integrity and efficiency.
They hoped that next CJP would personally hear cases in all provincial registries of Supreme Court besides at principal seat at Islamabad.
As the legal community looks forward to his tenure, there is a collective hope for a revitalized approach to justice under his guidance.
Justice Yahya Afridi’s appointment as Chief Justice marks a significant moment for the judiciary in Pakistan.
With his impressive credentials and long professional experience, many anticipate a new era focused on expediting justice and reinforcing the constitutional framework of the country.
