CJP Qazi Faez Isa dismisses any notion of extending his tenure

ISLAMABAD, Sep 9 (SABAH): Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has firmly dismissed any notion of extending his tenure.

During an informal discussion with journalists marking the start of the new judicial year, Chief Justice Isa was questioned regarding a comment made by Rana Sanaullah, who suggested that if the retirement age for all judges were increased, the chief justice might consider an extension.

In response, Chief Justice Isa quipped that Sanaullah should be brought before him. He referenced an earlier meeting with Azam Nazeer Tarar, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, and the Attorney General, clarifying that Sanaullah had not been present.

At that meeting, the idea of extending the tenures of all chief justices was raised, but Chief Justice Isa categorically stated he would not accept such an extension for himself, even though he had no objections if it were applied to other judges.

Expressing uncertainty about his future, Chief Justice Isa added, “I don’t even know if I will be alive tomorrow.” When asked about the scheduling of the issue concerning a letter from six judges, he explained that it was the committee’s responsibility to set a hearing date.

Previously, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had also confirmed that Chief Justice Isa had no intention of seeking an extension, dismissing repeated claims to the contrary as unfounded and unnecessary.

A question was raised by a senior journalist that legislation is being made regarding the increase in the number of judges. On this, the Chief Justice said that the journalists will not talk about the fact that the approved vacancies in the Supreme Court were also vacant, why they were vacant, I have come and completed those vacancies.

The Chief Justice said that I will not give any opinion regarding the proposed legislation. Maybe tomorrow it will be challenged in the Supreme Court and then it will be said that I have already given my opinion, Farooq Hameed Naik is also a Member of Parliament, this question should be asked to him. A question was asked by a journalist that there are talks of continuing the existing arrangement in the Supreme Court.

On this, the Chief Justice said that such things keep happening. The Chief Justice said that examples of America are given where it is already known how many judges are Democrats and how many are Republicans and what the decision will be, but this is not the case in Pakistan. Even he does not know what the decision will be.