PML-N’s Nehal Hashmi has said that the notification of Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s appointment as the next CJP is a common routine as the governments facilitate the outgoing chief justices to hold farewell meetings and visit different courts and bars.

“He [CJP Umar Ata Bandial] now has an opportunity to visit courts and see how the judiciary has been working while he was the CJP,” he said speaking with Shaukat Piracha on Aaj TV show Faisla Aap Ka.

President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday approved the appointment of Justice Qazi Faez Isa as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Justice Isa will assume office on September 17, 2023, following the retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial.

The incumbent chief justice will reach the age of superannuation on September 16, 2023 under Article 179 of the Constitution.

Hashmi claimed that no bar is ready to entertain the CJP, saying that he should go home before his retirement.

Senior lawyer and legal expert Shoaib Shaheen said that the government’s announcement of approving Justice Isa’s appointment as the next CJP at this time is probably a move to pressurise him.

“The announcement is usually made two weeks or even one month before incumbent Chief Justice’ retirement, but this notification is a bit different as the CJP will retire on September 16,” he said.

The apex court is expected to conduct hearing on some constitutional petitions, and the government will want to stop him from becoming part of the bench which will hear these petitions, Shaheen added.

However, Shaheen said that Justice Bandial still holds all the power of the CJP even after the approval of Justice Isa’s appointment.

Former president of Supreme Court Bar Association Amanullah Kanrani said that Justice Isa faced enormous challenges and injustice at the hands of the previous government’s officials.

“It is a miracle that the president who filed a reference against Justice Isa, is approving his appointment three months before the retirement of the current CJP,” he said.

He said that Justice Isa is a man of integrity and does not support any political party. He has always given verdicts according to the law and constitution, Kanrani added.