ISLAMABAD: According to sources, the federal government is currently deliberating the possibility of extending the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan to a duration of three years. This consideration arises in light of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s impending retirement, which is scheduled for October 25, 2024.
Sources disclosed that if a definitive decision is reached to extend the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan to three years, the government will propose amendments to the Constitution. A committee, formed for this purpose, has initiated preparations for the constitutional amendment, with a final decision expected after the Senate elections.
As per the Constitution, the appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and other Supreme Court Judges is made by the President by Article 175A. Additionally, Article 179 of the Constitution stipulates that a Supreme Court judge holds office until reaching the age of sixty-five years unless resigning earlier or being removed as per constitutional provisions.
It’s noteworthy that Justice Ijazul Ahsan, the third most senior judge in the Supreme Court, who was slated to become the next Chief Justice of Pakistan in October this year, tendered his resignation after his colleague Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi’s resignation due to misconduct allegations.
This abrupt resignation benefits the next senior judge, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, who is now expected to assume the Chief Justice role immediately after CJP Isa’s retirement on October 25, 2024. Otherwise, Justice Shah was previously anticipated to assume the esteemed office from August 3, 2025.
Justice Shah has also assumed the responsibilities of Justice Ahsan on the Supreme Judicial Council and the three-member special committee tasked with bench formation.
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