CJP Isa confirms he won’t accept extension in tenure

Islamabad_(Mudasssar Iqbal)-Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has reiterated that he does not wish to seek an extension in his tenure as the country’s top judge. During an informal conversation with journalists in Islamabad, CJP Isa confirmed that he was approached about extending his tenure, but he declined, suggesting instead that other judges’ tenures be extended.

CJP Isa, who is set to retire in October, emphasized that he does not know what the future holds, even whether he will be alive tomorrow. He mentioned that Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, and Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan were present in the meeting where the topic was discussed.

Earlier, CJP Isa addressed the full court reference at the beginning of the new judicial year, stating that every judge has some inclination and that assigning a case to a specific judge can influence the prosecution’s weightage. He also noted that the judiciary has room for improvement and that even he is unsure of the decisions his fellow judges will make.

The government has consistently denied rumors of CJP Isa’s extension, citing his lack of interest and the absence of a constitutional mechanism for such an extension without amendments to the Constitution. Legal experts agree that any attempt to extend CJP Isa’s tenure would require a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament, a challenging task given the recent Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats favoring Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The speculation surrounding CJP Isa’s extension gained traction after PTI sought an early issuance of notification regarding the next chief justice of Pakistan last month. However, CJP Isa’s clear stance on the matter has put the rumors to rest.

Emphasis on Judicial Transparency: Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa asserts that transparency has increased in the Supreme Court under his leadership, noting that the composition of the bench no longer hints at case outcomes. Previously, the composition of a bench could often predict the verdict, but now, Chief Justice Isa mentions that even he is unsure of the decisions of the judges around him.

Overview of the First Year in Office
Reflecting on Achievements:** As he approaches the end of his first year as Chief Justice, Isa provided an extensive overview of his tenure. He highlighted significant reforms and stressed the importance of judicial transparency. Notably, he initiated live broadcasts of cases of public interest to enhance public access and oversight.

Reforms and Judicial Practices
-Transparency Initiatives:** Isa pointed out that previously, public understanding of court proceedings was limited to media portrayals. By televising court proceedings, the public can now directly witness and assess the judiciary’s transparency.
– **Law Review and Power Redistribution:** The judiciary has actively reviewed legislative laws and endorsed reforms that redistribute judicial powers to prevent any single individual, including the Chief Justice, from holding excessive authority.

Changes in Bench Formation
Objective Bench Formation:** Chief Justice Isa addressed past criticisms regarding bench formation, where it was believed that the formation of a bench could predict its decisions. He challenged this notion, encouraging lawyers to evaluate the current system’s impartiality.

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Focus on Self-Accountability
Judicial Self-Assessment:** Isa emphasized the need for self-accountability within the judiciary. He called for public and media scrutiny of judicial practices and urged journalists to report responsibly to avoid misinformation.

Administrative and Ethical Reforms
Administrative Actions: Isa mentioned administrative reforms, including returning luxury vehicles and ensuring compliance with deputation laws to prevent delays in judicial processes.

Case Management: He cited a recent decision on general elections made swiftly under the caretaker government without overstepping authority.

Addressing Past Mistakes
Acknowledging Errors: The Chief Justice highlighted the importance of acknowledging and correcting past mistakes, citing specific cases like the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto reference and various judicial decisions that were rectified.

Efforts to Manage Case Backlog
Case Management Committee: To tackle the backlog of cases, Isa announced the formation of a Case Management Committee, led by Justice Mansoor and Justice Muneeb Akhtar, to streamline judicial processes.

Personal Anecdote
Personal Touch: Isa concluded with a personal note, sharing that he had released peacocks that were previously kept at the Chief Justice’s residence, reflecting a lighter moment in his tenure.

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