https://arab.news/rpt9p
- Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa is set to retire today after serving as the top judge for more than a year
- Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Munib Akhtar among other judges did not attend the event
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday held a full court reference to bid farewell to outgoing Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, which was attended by his colleagues and prominent lawyers who recounted salient features of his tenure.
Isa, who retires today, took over as the country’s top judge on Sep. 17, 2023. He was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court on Sep. 5, 2014, prior to which he held the position of the Balochistan High Court chief justice from Aug. 5, 2009 till Sep. 4, 2014.
The full court reference was live-streamed on the Supreme Court website and YouTube channel. Fourteen Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice-designate Yahya Afridi, were in attendance at the reference.
Addressing the reference, Isa reflected on his career and said taking up the responsibility of a judge had been a “life-changing experience” for him.
“I took the job at a time when there was no judge in Balochistan,” he said, crediting his wife, Sarina Isa, for supporting him in doing “a lot of work” for the people of the impoverished Pakistani province.
“Me and my wife, who was on the forefront, did a lot of work for the people of Balochistan.”
Justice Afridi showered his praises on Chief Justice Isa, describing him as “one of the best human beings” from whom he had got to learn a great deal.
“If you meet, greet and treat Justice Faez Isa with a smile and humility, he will reciprocate with such gentle softness, likeness and care that it will leave you astonished,” Justice Afridi remarked.
“But mind you, if you in any way provoke him, or if I may say so poke the bear, then even hell hath no fury to match his scorn and only God may help and save you.”
He said the outgoing chief justice would be missed in the Supreme Court: “We have a rush of feelings while saying goodbye to the chief justice.”
Senior puisne judge, Mansoor Ali Shah, recused himself from the reference. Among other judges who did not attend the full court reference were Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan.
On the occasion, Attorney-General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, Pakistan Bar Council Vice-Chairman Farooq H. Naek, and Supreme Court Bar Association President Shahzad Shaukat also addressed the full court, praising Justice Isa for his work.