Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa will conclude his term today, retiring after serving for over 13 months.
A full court reference began in his honor on Friday morning at 10:30 AM. Following the reference, Chief Justice-designate Yahya Afridi will host a farewell dinner for Justice Isa, attended by other judges of the Supreme Court.
Justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Ayesha Malik, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Shahzad Malik skipped the reference.
The Supreme Court released the court roster for Justice Isa’s final day. Seven benches heard cases, but Justice Isa did not preside over any, dedicating his final day to chamber work.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa acknowledged the possibility of errors in past judgments, emphasizing that the court always operates within the confines of the law during case proceedings.
In an Urdu address, he reflected on his tenure, stating that he learned much from both the bar and the bench, and that he never interfered in the Supreme Court Registrar’s creation of the cause list.
He shared a personal anecdote, mentioning his daughter’s concerns regarding the Margalla Hills judgment. He observed that many people assist throughout life, and that judges make assessments based on the information presented in case files.
Chief Justice Isa expressed gratitude to former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry for appointing him as the Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court.
Furthermore, he spoke of his wife’s unwavering support, stating, “My wife holds veto power in my life,” and highlighted the importance of environmental protection, urging greater attention to the issue.
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During his last hearing on Thursday, which dealt with tree cutting, Justice Isa remarked, “Let’s bear with it for one more day,” acknowledging the significance of his final day in office.
He also praised the efforts to include environmental protection clauses in the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Isa, heard ten cases, deciding four and adjourning six.
When reminded by lawyer Farooq Malik that it was his last day, Justice Isa responded, “If life permits, we will meet again.”
