Chief Justice of Pakistan

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP)

The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) serves as the head of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and is the highest-ranking official within the country’s judiciary. This pivotal position holds immense responsibility for maintaining justice and upholding the Constitution of Pakistan.

Historical Background

The Federal Court of Pakistan, the precursor to the Supreme Court, was established in February 1948 through an order by Governor-General Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Initially, the court operated out of a wing of the Lahore High Court, despite Karachi being the federal capital at the time. Until 1956, the head of the Federal Court, along with other senior judges, was referred to as a Federal Judge.

The adoption of Pakistan’s first constitution in March 1956 marked a significant transformation, renaming the Federal Court to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. With this change, the judiciary’s scope and authority were expanded, and the position of Chief Justice was formally recognized.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Chief Justice of Pakistan serves as the chief administrative officer of the nation’s judiciary, holding the highest judicial office in the country. This role includes supervising judicial policies at the federal level and overseeing the operations and case management of the Supreme Court.

The CJP presides over oral arguments during court proceedings, and their influence extends to shaping the Supreme Court’s agenda. In addition to judicial duties, the Chief Justice has a ceremonial responsibility to administer the oath of office to the President of Pakistan.

Appointment Process

The process of appointing the Chief Justice has undergone significant evolution.

1. Before the 26th Amendment (2024):
   The senior-most judge of the Supreme Court was automatically appointed as the Chief Justice by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
2. After the 26th Amendment (2024):
   The appointment process became more inclusive and structured. A Special Parliamentary Committee, consisting of eight members from the National Assembly and four members from the Senate, was tasked with nominating the Chief Justice. The committee selects the CJP from the three senior-most justices of the Supreme Court. A two-thirds majority vote within the committee is required to finalize the nomination. Once selected, the nomination is forwarded to the Prime Minister, who advises the President to officially appoint the Chief Justice.

This amendment introduced a collaborative approach, ensuring greater transparency and fairness in the selection process.

Notable Powers and Influence

The Chief Justice holds significant influence over the judiciary, including:

• Presiding over important cases and hearings in the Supreme Court.
• Setting the agenda for judicial proceedings and Supreme Court meetings.
• Overseeing the implementation of judicial policies across the country.

List of Chief Justices of Pakistan

Several distinguished individuals have served as Chief Justice of Pakistan, shaping the judiciary’s history. Justice Mohammad Haleem holds the record for the longest tenure, serving 3,205 days, while Justice Muhammad Shahabuddin served the shortest term. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is unique for serving three non-consecutive terms, totaling 2,480 days.

Here is List of Chief Justices of Pakistan;

Sir Mian Abdul Rashid
Entered Office: 27 June 1949 Left Office: 29 June 1954 Tenure: 5 years, 0 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Government of India Act 1935 Details: First Chief Justice of Pakistan, played a crucial role in establishing the Supreme Court of Pakistan and laying the foundation for the judicial system in the newly independent country.
Muhammad Munir
Entered Office: 29 June 1954 Left Office: 2 May 1960 Tenure: 5 years, 10 months, 4 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Malik Ghulam Muhammad Details: Known for his controversial application of the Doctrine of Necessity in validating unconstitutional actions, which had a profound impact on Pakistan’s constitutional history.
Muhammad Shahabuddin
Entered Office: 3 May 1960 Left Office: 12 May 1960 Tenure: 9 days Bar: Madras High Court Appointed By: Ayub Khan Details: Shortest-serving Chief Justice, served during a transitional period in Pakistan’s judiciary.
A.R. Cornelius
Entered Office: 13 May 1960 Left Office: 29 February 1968 Tenure: 7 years, 9 months, 16 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Ayub Khan Details: First Christian Chief Justice of Pakistan, renowned for his advocacy for judicial independence and significant contributions to constitutional law.
S.A. Rahman
Entered Office: 1 March 1968 Left Office: 3 June 1968 Tenure: 3 months, 2 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Ayub Khan Details: Presided over the judiciary during a politically tumultuous period in Pakistan’s history.
Fazal Akbar
Entered Office: 4 June 1968 Left Office: 17 November 1968 Tenure: 5 months, 13 days Bar: East Pakistan High Court Appointed By: Ayub Khan Details: Known for his focus on constitutional issues, particularly regarding the rights of East Pakistan.
Hamoodur Rahman
Entered Office: 18 November 1968 Left Office: 31 October 1975 Tenure: 6 years, 11 months, 13 days Bar: Calcutta High Court Appointed By: Ayub Khan Details: Chaired the Hamoodur Rahman Commission, which investigated the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
Yaqub Ali
Entered Office: 1 November 1975 Left Office: 22 September 1977 Tenure: 1 year, 10 months, 21 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry Details: His tenure included major legal and political cases during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government.
Sheikh Anwarul Haq
Entered Office: 23 September 1977 Left Office: 25 March 1981 Tenure: 3 years, 6 months, 2 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry Details: Played a controversial role in Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s trial and sentencing.
Muhammad Haleem
Entered Office: 23 March 1981 Left Office: 31 December 1989 Tenure: 8 years, 9 months, 8 days Bar: Sindh High Court Appointed By: Zia-ul-Haq Details: Longest-serving Chief Justice of Pakistan, known for his judicial reforms and consistent handling of cases during a politically volatile era.
Afzal Zullah
Entered Office: 1 January 1990 Left Office: 18 April 1993 Tenure: 3 years, 3 months, 17 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Ghulam Ishaq Khan Details: Advocated for judicial independence and transparency in court proceedings.
Nasim Hasan Shah
Entered Office: 17 April 1993 Left Office: 14 April 1994 Tenure: 11 months, 28 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Ghulam Ishaq Khan Details: Played a pivotal role in the judicial validation of controversial political decisions, including Nawaz Sharif’s return to power.
Syed Sajjad Ali Shah
Entered Office: 5 June 1994 Left Office: 2 December 1997 Tenure: 3 years, 5 months, 27 days Bar: Sindh High Court Appointed By: Farooq Leghari Details: Faced controversies and constitutional crises. Played a pivotal role in cases involving the separation of powers. His tenure witnessed an unprecedented clash between the judiciary and executive, leading to his controversial removal.
Ajmal Mian
Entered Office: 27 December 1997 Left Office: 30 June 1999 Tenure: 1 year, 6 months, 3 days Bar: Sindh High Court Appointed By: Wasim Sajjad Details: Advocated for judicial independence. Delivered significant verdicts on human rights cases. Known for maintaining judicial integrity during political instability.
Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui
Entered Office: 1 July 1999 Left Office: 26 January 2000 Tenure: 6 months, 25 days Bar: Sindh High Court Appointed By: Rafiq Tarar Details: Resisted military intervention in judiciary matters. Refused to validate the 1999 military coup under the doctrine of necessity. A symbol of resistance against authoritarianism.
Irshad Hasan Khan
Entered Office: 26 January 2000 Left Office: 6 January 2002 Tenure: 1 year, 11 months, 11 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Rafiq Tarar Details: Presided over key cases during the military regime. Authored judgments upholding the legality of the 1999 military coup. Controversial for granting powers to General Musharraf under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).
Bashir Jehangiri
Entered Office: 7 January 2002 Left Office: 31 January 2002 Tenure: 24 days Bar: Peshawar High Court Appointed By: Pervez Musharraf Details: Short tenure during a transitional period. Focused on judicial decorum amidst military rule.
Sheikh Riaz Ahmad
Entered Office: 1 February 2002 Left Office: 31 December 2003 Tenure: 1 year, 10 months, 30 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Pervez Musharraf Details: Oversaw significant constitutional challenges. Worked to balance judicial authority and executive oversight.
Nazim Hussain Siddiqui
Entered Office: 31 December 2003 Left Office: 29 June 2005 Tenure: 1 year, 5 months, 29 days Bar: Sindh High Court Appointed By: Pervez Musharraf Details: Advocated for judicial reforms. Delivered landmark rulings addressing judicial and administrative inefficiencies.
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry (1st Term)
Entered Office: 29 June 2005 Left Office: 9 March 2007 Tenure: 1 year, 8 months, 10 days Bar: Balochistan High Court Appointed By: Pervez Musharraf Details: Initiated judicial activism. Advocated for judicial independence and took suo motu notices, setting a precedent for activism in the judiciary.
Javaid Iqbal
Entered Office: 9 March 2007 Left Office: 24 March 2007 Tenure: 15 days Bar: Balochistan High Court Appointed By: Pervez Musharraf Details: Interim Chief Justice. Handled judiciary matters impartially during a politically turbulent period.
Rana Bhagwandas
Entered Office: 25 March 2007 Left Office: 20 July 2007 Tenure: 3 months, 25 days Bar: Sindh High Court Appointed By: Pervez Musharraf Details: First Hindu to serve as Chief Justice of Pakistan. An icon of interfaith harmony and judicial integrity.
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry (2nd Term)
Entered Office: 20 July 2007 Left Office: 3 November 2007 Tenure: 3 months, 14 days Bar: Balochistan High Court Appointed By: Pervez Musharraf Details: Restored to office through public support. His reinstatement was a significant victory for judicial independence and marked a crucial period in the struggle between the judiciary and the executive.
A. H. Dogar
Entered Office: 3 November 2007 Left Office: 21 March 2009 Tenure: 1 year, 4 months, 18 days Bar: Sindh High Court Appointed By: Pervez Musharraf Details: His appointment was controversial during the emergency period. Dogar faced criticism for his perceived subordination to the military regime, leading to public discontent and political unrest.
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry (3rd Term)
Entered Office: 21 March 2009 Left Office: 11 December 2013 Tenure: 4 years, 8 months, 20 days Bar: Balochistan High Court Appointed By: Asif Ali Zardari Details: Renowned for judicial activism and suo motu actions. Chaudhry became a symbol of judicial independence, engaging in high-profile cases, including corruption cases and issues of public interest, and earning praise for upholding the rule of law.
Tassaduq Hussain Jillani
Entered Office: 12 December 2013 Left Office: 6 July 2014 Tenure: 6 months, 24 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Mamnoon Hussain Details: Promoted human rights and judicial independence. Known for his calm demeanor and efforts to enhance the judiciary’s public image during political crises.
Nasir-ul-Mulk
Entered Office: 7 July 2014 Left Office: 16 August 2015 Tenure: 1 year, 1 month, 9 days Bar: Peshawar High Court Appointed By: Mamnoon Hussain Details: Later served as interim Prime Minister of Pakistan. His leadership in the judiciary was marked by neutrality and a commitment to constitutional principles. His tenure as Chief Justice was crucial in maintaining stability during Pakistan’s political upheavals.
Jawwad S. Khawaja
Entered Office: 17 August 2015 Left Office: 9 September 2015 Tenure: 23 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Mamnoon Hussain Details: Shortest-serving Chief Justice in recent years. His brief tenure was due to his voluntary retirement after the Supreme Court’s ruling on the PCO judges. His resignation reflected his respect for judicial independence.
Anwar Zaheer Jamali
Entered Office: 10 September 2015 Left Office: 30 December 2016 Tenure: 1 year, 3 months, 20 days Bar: Sindh High Court Appointed By: Mamnoon Hussain Details: Focused on reducing judicial backlog. Under his leadership, the judiciary worked toward addressing the case pendency in courts and introduced reforms to enhance the efficiency of judicial processes.
Mian Saqib Nisar
Entered Office: 31 December 2016 Left Office: 17 January 2019 Tenure: 2 years, 17 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Mamnoon Hussain Details: Known for high-profile cases and public interest litigation. Nisar’s tenure was marked by his controversial suo motu actions, including on issues such as the water crisis and corruption. His tenure earned both praise for his stance on judicial independence and criticism for overreach.
Asif Saeed Khan Khosa
Entered Office: 18 January 2019 Left Office: 20 December 2019 Tenure: 11 months, 2 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Arif Alvi Details: Advocated for reforms in the criminal justice system. As Chief Justice, he worked to streamline the judiciary’s functioning, with a focus on the speedy resolution of criminal cases and upholding the rule of law.
Gulzar Ahmed
Entered Office: 21 December 2019 Left Office: 1 February 2022 Tenure: 2 years, 1 month, 11 days Bar: Sindh High Court Appointed By: Arif Alvi Details: Focused on urban planning and human rights issues. Gulzar Ahmed’s tenure was marked by his commitment to improving the judiciary’s engagement with issues such as urban development, environmental sustainability, and the rights of marginalized communities.
Umar Ata Bandial
Entered Office: 2 February 2022 Left Office: 16 September 2023 Tenure: 1 year, 7 months, 14 days Bar: Lahore High Court Appointed By: Arif Alvi Details: Advocated for constitutionalism and rule of law. His tenure was notable for upholding the independence of the judiciary, as well as his advocacy for ensuring that the constitutional framework prevails in political and legal matters.
Qazi Faez Isa
Entered Office: 17 September 2023 Left Office: 25 October 2024 Tenure: 1 year, 1 month, 8 days Bar: Balochistan High Court Appointed By: Arif Alvi Details: Known for strong stances on accountability and transparency. Qazi Faez Isa’s leadership in the Supreme Court has been marked by his efforts to preserve judicial independence and his firm stance on corruption accountability, becoming one of the most respected judicial figures in Pakistan.
Yahya Afridi
Entered Office: 26 October 2024 Left Office: Incumbent Tenure: Ongoing Bar: Peshawar High Court Appointed By: Dr. Arif Alvi Details: Currently serving as Chief Justice of Pakistan. Yahya Afridi’s tenure is ongoing, and his appointment was expected to continue the judiciary’s work in reforming the system, ensuring transparency, and addressing the issues of judicial delays and corruption.

Historical and Current Leadership

The first Chief Justice of Pakistan was Sir Abdul Rashid, who played a foundational role in establishing the judiciary’s early framework. Since then, many distinguished individuals have held this prestigious position, contributing to the development of Pakistan’s legal and constitutional landscape.

The current Chief Justice of Pakistan is Justice Yahya Afridi, who assumed office on October 26, 2024. Justice Afridi’s tenure is expected to continue the legacy of judicial integrity and constitutional guardianship.