Who will be the future five chief justices of Pakistan?

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s new Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa has taken office for a 13-month term, succeeding Justice Umar Atta Bandial who retired on  September 16, 2023. Justice Isa, who was sworn in by President Arif Alvi on September 17, is the 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Chief Justice Isa is known for his outspoken views on constitutional matters and human rights issues. He has faced several attempts to remove him from his position, including a presidential reference filed against him in 2019 for allegedly concealing his foreign assets. However, the Supreme Court quashed the reference in June 2020 and declared it “invalid”.

After Chief Justice Isa’s term ends on October 18, 2024, five other Supreme Court justices will take turn, serving as the Chief Justice of Pakistan according to their seniority. They are: Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, and Justice Ayesha Malik.

Justice Ayesha Malik, who is currently serving as a judge of the Supreme Court, will make history by becoming the first female Chief Justice of Pakistan in January 2030.

Notably, Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood will not have the chance to become the Chief Justice of Pakistan as his term is set to conclude on March 10, 2024. Consequently, the responsibility of leading Pakistan’s highest court will pass on to his senior colleagues in due course, according to We News.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan

Following Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s retirement on October 25, 2024, Justice Ijazul Ahsan will assume the role of Chief Justice of Pakistan, serving a term that will extend until his retirement after 9 months and 9 days.

Born on August 5, 1960, in Murree, Justice Ijazul Ahsan pursued his foundational education in Lahore before obtaining a master’s degree in Law from the United States in 1987. In 2011, he was appointed as a judge of the Lahore High Court. Subsequently, in November 2015, he took the helm as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court before being appointed to the Supreme Court bench in June 2016.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah

Following Justices Ijazul Ahsan’s tenure, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah is slated to become the Chief Justice of Pakistan on August 5, 2025, and is set to serve in this capacity for three years and three months, retiring on November 27, 2027.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah received his education in Lahore, completing his degrees at Aitchison College Lahore and Cambridge University. He embarked on his judicial career in 2009 when he was appointed as a judge of the Lahore High Court. In 2016, he assumed the role of Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, followed by his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2018.

Justice Munib Akhtar

Following Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah’s tenure, Justice Munib Akhtar will take on the role of Chief Justice of Pakistan on November 28, 2027, serving for one year and 15 days before retiring on December 13, 2028.

Born on December 14, 1963, Justice Munib Akhtar received his education from Aitchison College Lahore, Government College Lahore, Princeton University in the United States, and Punjab University Law College. His legal career commenced in 1990, and he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the High Court in 2009. On May 8, 2018, he assumed the position of a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Justice Yahya Afridi

Following Justice Munib Akhtar’s tenure, Justice Yahya Afridi will serve as Chief Justice of Pakistan, commencing his term on December 14, 2028. His tenure will span one year and one month, concluding on January 22, 2030.

Born on January 23, 1965, in Dera Ismail Khan, Justice Yahya Afridi pursued his education at Aitchison College Lahore, Government College Lahore, and Punjab University. He furthered his academic qualifications with a Master of Laws degree from Cambridge University. He initiated his legal career in 1990 and served as an advocate of the High Court. In 2010, he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Peshawar High Court, followed by his elevation to the position of Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court in December 2016. In June 2018, he was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Justice Ayesha Malik

Upon Justice Yahya Afridi’s retirement, Justice Ayesha Malik will make history by becoming Pakistan’s first female chief justice on January 23, 2030.

The appointment of chief justices in the Supreme Court is determined by their seniority and age, with judges retiring at the age of 65. Seniority is determined by the date of appointment to the Supreme Court.

According to the constitution, after the retirement of the incumbent chief justice, the judge with the highest seniority below the age of 65 is appointed as the chief justice, and they retire upon reaching the age of 65.