President appoints Justice Yahya Afridi as new CJP

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday appointed Justice Yahya Afridi, a Supreme Court judge, as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The president made the appointment of Justice Yahya Afridi for a period of three years with effect from October 26, 2024.

The appointment was made in exercise of the powers conferred under Articles 175 A (3), 177 and 179 of the constitution.

President Zardari also approved October 26 as the date for administering the oath of office to Justice Yahya Afridi as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Earlier, Special Parliament Committee had agreed to appoint Justice Yahya Afridi as new Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the majority of the committee has supported the nomination of the Justice Afridi as the CJP and his name is being sent to the prime minister for the approval.  The President of Pakistan will finally approve the appointment of the new chief justice of Pakistan on the advice of the prime minister.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the minister said, “Justice Afridi’s nomination has been sent to the prime minister with a two-third majority.”.

12-member Special Parliament Committee, formed after the 26th constitutional amendment, held its meeting with nine out of 12 members in attendance to deliberate the three names for a top judge slot. The committee for the first time in the country’s history nominated the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP).