In a significant development, Justice Yahya Afridi has been nominated as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan.
The decision comes after a parliamentary committee, formed under the newly passed 26th Constitutional Amendment, finalized his name for the position.
The amendment, which reshaped the process of appointing the Chief Justice, introduced a selection process requiring a parliamentary committee to choose from the three most senior judges of the Supreme Court.
The committee’s decision marks a departure from previous succession practices. Prior to the amendment, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah was widely expected to assume the role, set to replace Justice Qazi Faez Isa upon his retirement.
However, the new process allowed the committee to deliberate on the three most senior candidates, which included Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, and Justice Muneeb Akhtar.
After thorough discussions, the parliamentary body reached a consensus on Justice Afridi. His nomination is seen as a key decision under the amended judicial selection system, which aims to balance seniority with parliamentary oversight.
The appointment of Justice Yahya Afridi as Chief Justice will play a crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s judicial landscape in the coming years.