In a report by Ansar Abbasi for The News, it has been revealed that Justice Yahya Afridi is expected to be appointed the next chief justice of Pakistan if the constitutional amendment package, unanimously approved by a parliamentary committee, is passed by the parliament.
According to sources within the government, Justice Afridi’s appointment is favoured due to his non-controversial and neutral stance, in contrast to the division among other Supreme Court judges.
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If the amendment is passed, the three most senior judges to be considered for the role will be Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Yahya Afridi, following the retirement of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
The proposed amendment stipulates that the Chief Justice of Pakistan will be appointed based on the recommendation of a Special Parliamentary Committee. This committee will select from the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court and forward the nomination to the prime minister, who will then send it to the president for final approval.
The committee, as outlined in the package, will consist of 12 members, with eight from the National Assembly and four from the Senate, ensuring proportional representation of political parties. This proposed change marks a significant shift in the appointment process of the Chief Justice, giving the parliamentary committee greater influence in the selection.
