The special parliamentary committee has approved the nomination of Justice Yahya Afridi as Pakistan’s next Chief Justice. The decision was made with a two-thirds majority, and his name has now been sent to the Prime Minister for final approval. Once approved, the appointment will move to the President for formal confirmation.
The meeting, which lasted over an hour and a half, was held despite significant challenges. Members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Sunni Ittehad Council boycotted the committee, delaying the process. The opposition's dissatisfaction with the selection process led them to withdraw from the discussions.
Barrister Gohar Ali Khan from PTI announced the party’s decision not to participate, stating that they were unhappy with how the process was being conducted. Attempts to negotiate with PTI members through a subcommittee failed, and the boycott continued.
Despite this, the committee pressed on and reviewed the profiles of the three senior judges considered for the position: Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Yahya Afridi. After a thorough discussion, the committee voted in favor of Justice Afridi’s nomination.
This appointment is particularly significant as it follows recent reforms to the process of selecting the Chief Justice. In the past, the senior-most judge would automatically take the role. However, under the new system, the top three judges are nominated, and the parliamentary committee makes the final decision. This change is part of a broader effort by the government to reform the way judicial appointments are made in Pakistan.
The boycott by PTI and the Sunni Ittehad Council reflects ongoing political tensions, especially regarding recent judicial decisions that PTI felt were unfavorable. This led to their refusal to participate in the selection process.
Despite the absence of opposition members, the committee moved forward and confirmed Justice Yahya Afridi’s nomination. His appointment marks an important moment for Pakistan’s judiciary, and once formalized, it is expected to have a lasting impact on the country’s legal system.
By proceeding with this selection, the parliamentary committee ensured that the Chief Justice appointment moved forward without further delays, despite the political challenges.
