Full Court Reference for Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa on October 25

ISLAMABAD: A full court reference is set to take place on October 25 to honor the outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa. This event is a traditional way for the judiciary to bid farewell to its top judge. The announcement was made through an official letter from the registrar of the Supreme Court, Jazeela Aslam, to the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Shahzad Shaukat.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who is currently a senior Puisne judge, will take over the position of Chief Justice following Justice Isa's departure. The full court reference comes at a time when the political landscape in Pakistan has been quite turbulent. There were speculations that the ruling coalition intended to extend Justice Isa's tenure through a special legislative process focused on the judiciary. However, these plans fell through when the government could not even present the proposed amendments in parliament. This was largely due to the refusal of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to support the government's judicial package, leaving the proposed changes in limbo.

It is noteworthy that the government was short of 13 votes in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate, as the legislation required a two-thirds majority in both houses to pass. Amidst this political uncertainty, Chief Justice Isa made it clear that he would not entertain any "individual specific" proposals regarding the extension of his tenure. His statement was later described as "misreported" by his Secretary, Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, who emphasized that the Chief Justice was speaking informally with journalists during an event marking the judicial year.

Justice Isa, who became the 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan in September 2023, has a rich background in law. Born on October 26, 1959, in Quetta, he is the son of the late Qazi Mohammad Isa, a prominent figure in the Pakistan movement. He has practiced law for over 27 years and has held various positions, including serving as chief justice of Balochistan. His commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law is evident in his judicial decisions.

As the legal community prepares to say goodbye to Justice Isa, it is essential to reflect on his contributions to the judiciary and the legal system in Pakistan. His tenure has been marked by a strong advocacy for transparency and adherence to the law, which will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the country's judicial landscape. The upcoming full court reference will not only celebrate his achievements but also serve as a reminder of the challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead for his successor.