Justice Yahya Afridi Chosen as Next Chief Justice of Pakistan Amidst PTI-SIC Boycott

Islamabad, – In a historic move, the Special Parliamentary Committee has unanimously agreed to nominate Justice Yahya Afridi as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal confirmed the development, stating that Justice Afridi’s name will be sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz for final approval.

The development came after first round of in-camera meeting of the parliamentary panel comprising government and opposition members held in the afternoon at room no 5 of the Parliament House.

However, the members belonging to the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) skipped the meeting, prompting the committee members to meet again tonight.

*Justice Yahya Afridi’s Background*

Born on January 23, 1965, in Dera Ismail Khan, Justice Afridi hails from the Federally Administered Tribal Area ¹ ² ³. He holds a distinguished academic record, having studied at Aitchison College, Lahore, and later earning his Master of Laws from Jesus College, Cambridge .

*Judicial Career*

Justice Afridi was elevated to the Bench of the Peshawar High Court as Additional Judge in 2010 and confirmed as a Judge in 2012 ¹ ² ³. He became the first judge from the Federally Administered Tribal Area to assume the office of the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court in 2016 ¹ ² ³. He has been serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan since June 28, 2018.

*Nomination Significance*

Justice Afridi’s nomination with a two-thirds majority reflects the committee’s confidence in his ability to lead the country’s judiciary ¹. His appointment is expected to bring stability and continuity to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.