Justice Isa clarifies his comments about extension of his tenure as CJP

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has clarified his comments about the extension of his tenure, which were reported by various media outlets.

A statement issued by CJP’s Secretary, Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, explained that an off-the-record conversation between the CJP and journalists during an event had been ‘misinterpreted and widely circulated.’

According to the clarification, the conversation occurred on September 9, during an event marking the beginning of the judicial year. After the event, some journalists approached the CJP during a tea session and asked him questions. The CJP had specified that the conversation was off-the-record, but due to misinterpretation, the need arose to clarify his remarks.

When asked about a possible extension of his tenure, CJP Isa explained that several months ago, the Law Minister visited him and mentioned the government’s consideration of making the Chief Justice’s post a fixed three-year tenure.

The CJP told journalists that he informed the Law Minister that if this proposal was specific to him, he would not support it.

The clarification also noted that the Senior Puisne Judge and the Attorney-General were present at that meeting. The Law Minister had also mentioned a potential change to the Parliamentary Committee’s role, which had been reduced, and suggested combining it with the Judicial Commission.

CJP Isa responded that while this was the Parliament’s prerogative, he hoped the opposition would not be excluded from such discussions.

The clarification emphasized that since that meeting, the Law Minister had not met privately with the CJP, nor had they discussed the matter further.

Additionally, when a follow-up question referenced something said by Rana Sanaullah, the CJP stated that he had never met Sanaullah and was unaware of his comments.

The CJP advised journalists to direct questions on that matter to him. Finally, when asked about increasing the number of judges to manage the rising caseload, the CJP said it would be preferable to first fill the current vacancies.