ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has scheduled a full court reference for outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on October 25, according to a letter issued by the court’s registrar on Friday.
The letter, addressed to Supreme Court Bar Association President Shahzad Shaukat, confirmed the date for the reference marking CJP Isa’s retirement. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah is set to succeed CJP Isa as the country’s next top judge.
However, recent rumours suggested that the government was considering an extension of Isa’s tenure through possible amendments in the retirement age of superior court judges.
Sources within the ruling coalition hinted at potential legislative changes, though no specific details were provided.
Opposition parties, particularly the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have strongly opposed any such move, with PTI Founder Imran Khan warning of nationwide protests if CJP Isa’s term was extended.
During an informal interaction with reporters, CJP Isa denied any possibility of accepting an extension, even if it applied to all judges, contradicting earlier statements attributed to the government.
A press release from the Supreme Court later clarified that an “off-the-record” conversation between CJP Isa and journalists had been inaccurately reported, urging that the focus remain on institutions rather than individuals.
The full court reference will honour CJP Isa’s contributions as he prepares to step down from his role at the end of the month.
Moreover, CJP Isa has declined a farewell dinner at the expense of the public treasury upon his retirement on October 25. In a letter to the Supreme Court’s Registrar Office, he conveyed his decision, stating that no official dinner should be arranged in his honour.
He pointed out that hosting such an event would cost approximately Rs2 million, which would come from public funds. The letter emphasised that there is no need for a farewell dinner to be hosted by the Supreme Court in his honour.
However, CJP Isa accepted the Supreme Court Bar Association’s (SCBA) invitation to a farewell dinner scheduled for October 24, a day before his retirement.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association, the Additional Registrar of the Supreme Court confirmed CJP Isa’s acceptance of the invitation. The farewell dinner, hosted in honour of the outgoing chief justice, will be held on October 24.
The letter also noted that the SCBA had formally extended the invitation on October 10, for which CJP Isa expressed his gratitude.
The letter was issued by Supreme Court Assistant Registrar Abdul Rahman and sent to SCBA Secretary Syed Ali Imran. The farewell dinner will serve as an occasion to recognise CJP Isa’s contributions to the judiciary ahead of his retirement from office. –Agencies
