According to sources, a special parliamentary committee has unanimously approved a constitutional draft, and if approved by Parliament, the appointment of the Chief Justice will be made based on the recommendation of the special committee from among the three senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. It is being speculated that the government and its allies may appoint Justice Yahya Afridi, considered “non-controversial and impartial,” as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan.
According to a report by The News International, sources within the government’s parliamentary members have indicated that after the approval of the amendment package, the government and its allies are likely to appoint Justice Yahya Afridi as the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
After the retirement of the current Chief Justice, Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the three senior-most judges being considered for the position of Chief Justice are Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, and Justice Yahya Afridi.
Meanwhile, senior journalist Ansar Abbasi noted that during recent times when the judges of the Supreme Court have been significantly divided, Justice Afridi has remained non-controversial and impartial. The proposed constitutional amendments state that the appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan will be made based on the recommendation of a special parliamentary committee from among the three senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.
