Justice Yahya Afridi Appointed as Pakistan’s 30th Chief Justice

Justice Yahya Afridi has been named as the new Chief Justice of Pakistan for a fixed term of three years, beginning on October 26, 2024.

By Currentpoint.news | October 22, 2024

Justice Yahya Afridi Appointed as Pakistan’s 30th Chief Justice

Islamabad, October 22, 2024 — Justice Yahya Afridi, a highly respected figure in Pakistan’s judiciary, has been appointed as the country’s 30th Chief Justice. This appointment follows the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and has been formalized by President Asif Ali Zardari through a statement issued by the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Justice Afridi will serve a fixed term of three years, beginning on October 26, 2024.

The appointment has been made in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, particularly under Articles 175A(3), 177, and 179, which govern the selection and tenure of Supreme Court judges. Justice Afridi is scheduled to take his oath of office on October 26.

Born on January 23, 1965, in Dera Ismail Khan, Justice Yahya Afridi hails from the Adam Khel section of the Afridi tribe, situated in the Kohat Frontier Region. He is rooted in a family with a strong tradition of public service, a legacy that he has carried forward throughout his illustrious legal career.

Justice Afridi received his early education from the prestigious Aitchison College in Lahore and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Government College Lahore. He then went on to earn a Master of Arts in Economics from Punjab University.

His academic achievements were further distinguished by a Commonwealth Scholarship, which led him to pursue an LLM at Jesus College, University of Cambridge. In addition, he participated in a scholarship program for Young Commonwealth Lawyers at the Institute of Legal Studies in London.

Justice Afridi’s legal career began in Peshawar, where he initially started his private practice. He also served as a lecturer at Khyber Law College, University of Peshawar, where he taught International Law, Labour Law, and Administrative Law. His professional growth was rapid, becoming an advocate of the High Court in 1990 and of the Supreme Court in 2004.

In his public service roles, Justice Afridi served as Assistant Advocate General for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and as a Federal Counsel for the Government of Pakistan. His sharp legal acumen and dedication to justice eventually led to his appointment as an Additional Judge of the Peshawar High Court in 2010. He was confirmed as a full Judge on March 15, 2012.

Justice Afridi achieved another milestone when he became the first judge from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to assume the office of Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court on December 30, 2016. His tenure was marked by a commitment to justice and reform until his elevation to the Supreme Court of Pakistan on June 28, 2018.

Justice Yahya Afridi’s elevation to the Chief Justice of Pakistan marks a significant chapter in the country’s judicial history. With his deep-rooted commitment to law and justice, his leadership is expected to bring further reforms and enhance the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law. As he prepares to take office on October 26, the legal fraternity and citizens alike look forward to his contributions over the next three years.

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