Khawaja Asif: Misconception of Justice Yahya Afridi as Government Candidate for CJP Role Is Incorrect. Khawaja Asif has clarified that the belief Justice Yahya Afridi is the government’s preferred candidate for the Chief Justice position is unfounded. Both the ruling coalition and leading opposition parties have dismissed claims of favoritism among the three senior judges under consideration for the role.
During a discussion, Asif stated that it would be inaccurate to suggest that the government has a preferred choice among the senior-most judges. He emphasized, “The impression that Justice Yahya Afridi is a government candidate for the post of CJP is wrong.”
The committee responsible for selecting the next Chief Justice will choose among Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Yahya, and Justice Munib Akhtar, as the current Chief Justice, Qazi Faez Isa, is set to retire on October 25. The coalition government initiated the appointment process following the enactment of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which requires the new Chief Justice to be appointed three days before the incumbent’s retirement.
Asif acknowledged the possibility of any of the three judges being appointed as Chief Justice.
In the same program, Gohar Ali Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), also refuted the notion that Justice Mansoor is favored by the PTI. He stated, “This notion should end that we have some favorite judge. We have never differentiated among judges.”
PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah added that all parties would have proportional representation on the selection committee, which will require a two-thirds majority for the appointment. He also noted that if a senior judge recuses themselves, the next senior judge will be considered.
In a notification issued on Monday, the National Assembly announced the formation of a 12-member Special Parliamentary Committee to oversee the appointment of the next Chief Justice. The committee will conduct an in-camera session to finalize the selection. Following their recommendation, the Prime Minister will submit the nominee to the President for approval.
Furthermore, the PTI announced its boycott of the committee meeting, refusing to participate in the selection process for the next Chief Justice.
