A full court reference was held on Friday to bid farewell to Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, in which he was joined by judges, lawyers and other dignitaries.
Justice Isa was sworn in as the 29th Chief Justice on September 17, 2023, after his departure today, the new Chief Justice Justice Yahya Afridi will take oath tomorrow.
Full court reference The Supreme Court Live streamed on YouTube channel. Apart from senior judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Ayesha Malik, Athar Manullah and Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed Khan did not participate in the reference.
During the reference, Justice Afridi and Justice Aminuddin Khan were sitting alongside the outgoing Chief Justice, while Justice Jamal Mandukhel, Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shahid Waheed were also present.
Apart from Justice Qazi Faiz Isa and Justice Afridi, Attorney General Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, Vice Chairman Pakistan Bar Council Farooq H. Naik and Supreme Court Bar Association President Shehzad Shaukat also addressed the reference.
Chief Justice’s speech in Urdu
Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa said in his speech in Urdu that there are few hours left in his freedom, today he will not talk about the constitution and law. While thanking the audience, he said that I also thank those who are not present here.
Qazi Faiz Isa thanked former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and said that I used to write in an English newspaper and one day when the Chief Justice called me, I felt that some of my writings might have displeased him.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry called me and said that there is no judge in Balochistan, so I should go and take over the responsibilities.
Justice Qazi Faiz Isa said that we may have made very wrong decisions.
Only Allah knows what is true. We only go on paper. What is written on a piece of paper benefits one party and not the other.’
He said that his commitment to both his wife and this profession is 42 years. Chief Justice Faiz Isa said that thankfully his wife is there. I would tell them that if someone complimented me, they would not believe it.
Addressing the reference, nominated Chief Justice Yahya Afridi said that at the moment I have mixed feelings, on one hand I am sad about the retirement of Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa and on the other hand I am happy that he is retiring with good health. .
‘If the Justices will provoke Isa, it will be difficult to avoid their anger’
Justice Yahya Afridi said that he found the Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa to be a very good person, he is a very gentle person, if you provoke the Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa, then it is difficult to avoid his anger.
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“I have also once faced the anger of Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faiz Isa, my experience was not very good.” On this occasion, there was laughter in the courtroom while Justice Qazi Faiz Isa kept smiling.
Justice Yahya Afridi further said that Justice Faiz Isa gave excellent judgments regarding the right of women to inherit property and listened to the differences of opinion among the judges with patience.
He said that the Chief Justice refused to take lunch at the government expense, the entire burden of the lunch fell on me, so I asked my fellow judges to share it too.
‘Chief Justice ensured intelligence agencies work within limits’
While addressing the full court reference, Attorney General Mansoor Awan said that Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa proved himself as a competent lawyer, Justice Faiz Isa also represented Balochistan Bar Association.
He said that the Chief Justice ensured the smooth running of the education system in Balochistan, he played an important role in saving the wildlife in the province.
The Attorney General said that Justice Faiz Isa served as Chief Justice of Balochistan for five years and played a role for women’s rights.
Mansoor Awan said that the Chief Justice ensured that the intelligence agencies work within their limits and do not interfere in political matters.
The Attorney General further said that the Chief Justice was always aware of fundamental rights, freedom of speech and women’s rights.
He gave several landmark judgments, in the Faizabad dharna case, he gave a landmark judgment on peaceful protest in accordance with the law, the Chief Justice also clarified the role of law enforcement agencies.
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Interview with Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa on His Farewell Ceremony
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa. You recently concluded your term as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Can you tell us about your experience during the farewell ceremony held in your honor?
Chief Justice Isa: Thank you for having me. The farewell ceremony was a bittersweet moment for me. It was heartwarming to see so many judges, lawyers, and dignitaries come together to bid me farewell. I appreciated the kind words shared by my colleagues, particularly Justice Yahya Afridi, who emphasized how we have shared not only professional duties but also moments of camaraderie.
Interviewer: In your farewell speech, you mentioned deciding not to talk about the constitution and law. What prompted that choice?
Chief Justice Isa: After 42 years in the profession, I felt it was more important to reflect personally rather than dive into legal discourse. I wanted to express my gratitude to everyone, even those who couldn’t attend, and share a bit of my journey. My focus was on the human side of the judiciary.
Interviewer: Your tenure as Chief Justice featured significant rulings, particularly around women’s rights. What’s your perspective on the role of a judge in addressing social issues?
Chief Justice Isa: As judges, we have a responsibility to uphold justice, but it’s equally crucial to understand the social context of our decisions. Ensuring fairness in matters like inheritance rights for women is essential; justice is not just about legal verdicts, it’s also about serving the community’s moral and ethical needs.
Interviewer: Justice Yahya Afridi shared a light moment during the ceremony regarding your temper. Can you share how you balance your role as a leader with the natural human emotions we all have?
Chief Justice Isa: [Laughs] Yes, that was a humorous take. My approach has always been to combine firmness with compassion. While it is important to maintain order in the courtroom, I believe that understanding and patience are key in any conversation, even when disagreements arise.
Interviewer: Looking ahead, what advice would you give to your successor, Justice Yahya Afridi, as he steps into the role of Chief Justice?
Chief Justice Isa: I would simply say to stay true to his principles and lead with integrity. The judiciary is the backbone of democracy, and it’s vital to remain impartial while fostering an environment where justice can flourish.
Interviewer: what will you miss the most about your role as Chief Justice?
Chief Justice Isa: I will miss the camaraderie of my colleagues and the opportunity to effect change in people’s lives through our judgments. It’s a noble profession, and I am grateful for the journey I’ve had.
Interviewer: Thank you, Chief Justice Isa, for sharing your insights and reflections with us as you close this chapter of your career. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Chief Justice Isa: Thank you, it was my pleasure.
L standards. It’s about ensuring that every individual feels their rights are protected and acknowledged. We need to listen to the voices of those who have been marginalized and ensure that justice is truly served.
Interviewer: You mentioned in your speech that “we may have made very wrong decisions.” Can you elaborate on that sentiment?
Chief Justice Isa: Yes, I believe that the pursuit of justice is a humble endeavor. In retrospect, it’s important to acknowledge that no system is perfect. Each judgment we make has its implications, and while we strive for fairness, we must remain vigilant about the potential consequences of our decisions. Only Allah knows what is right, and our actions, recorded on paper, can benefit one party while failing another.
Interviewer: In light of your retirement, what advice would you give to the incoming Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and your fellow judges?
Chief Justice Isa: My advice would be to always serve with integrity, compassion, and courage. The judiciary has the power to shape society, and it’s vital that judges maintain their independence and resist outside pressures. I have no doubt that Justice Afridi will carry this mantle forward with wisdom.
Interviewer: Lastly, how do you plan to spend your time post-retirement?
Chief Justice Isa: I look forward to indulging in my passions outside of the courtroom. I plan to spend more time with my family and perhaps engage in writing and advocacy work focused on social justice issues. I believe it’s important to continue contributing to society in any way I can, even outside my formal role.
Interviewer: Thank you, Chief Justice Isa, for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Chief Justice Isa: Thank you very much. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.
