AGP Mansoor Awan praises CJ Qazi Faez Isa at farewell reference

Justices Munib Akhtar, Ayesha Malik, Athar Minallah, and Shahzad Ahmed absent, while Justice Shah is abroad for Umrah.

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Attorney General of PakistanMansoor Usman Awan has stated that outgoing Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remains unwavering for the Constitution and democracy.

A farewell reference is currently taking place in the Supreme Court in honour of Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa.

Five judges did not attended the farewell reference for Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. Justices Munib Akhtar, Ayesha Malik, Athar Minallah, and Shahzad Ahmed were absent, while Justice Mansoor Ali Shah is abroad for Umrah, Express News reported.

The full court reference was broadcast live. Justices Yahya Afridi, Amin-ud-Din Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhel, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Shahid Waheed, Musarrat Hilali, Irfan Saadat Khan, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, Shahid Bilal Hassan, and Aqeel Abbasi were present at the farewell reference.

Additionally, ad-hoc judges Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and Justice Mazhar Alam Mian were in attendance, along with two religious judges from the Shariat Appellate Bench. In total, 12 permanent judges, two ad-hoc judges, and two religious judges were participating in the farewell reference.

Attorney General's Speech

The farewell reference began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan delivered a speech in which he stated that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has remained unwavering in the Constitution, law, democracy, and the accountability process.

"Before becoming Chief Justice, Qazi had a distinguished and successful career as a lawyer."

He noted that the Chief Justice has always been a champion of fundamental rights, freedom of expression, and women's rights. He delivered numerous historic rulings, including a landmark decision on lawful and peaceful protest in the Faizabad sit-in case, clarifying the role of law enforcement agencies.

The Attorney General mentioned that immediately after becoming Chief Justice, a full court reference was called.

The Chief Justice decided to broadcast cases live. Qazi Faez Isa made significant decisions and initiatives, such as delegating certain powers to a committee. His role was crucial in facilitating the conduct of general elections and persuading all stakeholders on the importance of democracy. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa's father was among the founders of Pakistan.

Nominee Chief Justice Yahya Afridi's Address

During the farewell reference for Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the nominated Chief Justice of Pakistan, Yahya Afridi, addressed the audience, expressing mixed emotions. He said he felt sadness at Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa's retirement but was also pleased that he is retiring in good health.

Justice Yahya Afridi remarked that he found Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to be a very good human being with a gentle temperament. However, he cautioned that provoking the Chief Justice could lead to experiencing his wrath, a sentiment that drew laughter from the courtroom, especially when he shared his own not-so-pleasant experience of facing Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa's anger. The Chief Justice smiled throughout this address.