The Supreme Court’s senior-most judge, Ijaz Ul Ahsan, resigned on Thursday, a day after Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi resigned from office.
According to the sources, Justice Ijazul Ahsan has sent his written resignation to the President, Dr. Arif Alvi, but the text has not been revealed yet.
Justice Ijazul Hassan, the third-most senior judge on the Supreme Court, was notably absent from today's meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council. With his position in seniority, Justice Ejazul Hassan was considered the leading candidate for the role of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, expected to assume the position in October 2024.
On March 10, 2024, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, the second-most senior judge in the hierarchy, is set to retire. Following Justice Ijaz's resignation and Justice Sardar Tariq's retirement, Justice Mansoor will ascend to become the most senior judge on the Supreme Court.
Additionally, with Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa's anticipated retirement on October 25, 2024, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah is poised to step into the role of Chief Justice. These developments mark significant changes in the leadership structure of the Supreme Court.
Today, Justice Ejaz also recused himself from participating in the Supreme Judicial Council proceedings concerning Justice Mazahir Akbar Naqvi. It is noteworthy that Justice Mazahir Akbar Naqvi, who raised complaints of 'misconduct,' tendered his resignation a day ago.
In his resignation submitted to the President, Justice Naqvi expressed his gratitude for the honor of serving as a judge in both the Lahore High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He cited the information being public and, to some extent, part of the public record, making it untenable for him to continue as a Supreme Court judge under the circumstances.
Emphasizing the importance of 'due process,' he stated that this consideration compelled his decision to resign from the position of a Supreme Court judge, effective immediately. The resigned judge from the Supreme Court vehemently denied the allegations lodged against him in his resignation letter.
Who is Justice Ijazul Ahsan latest to quit apex court?
Justice Ahsan, born and raised in the picturesque town of Murree, had been widely anticipated to assume the role of Chief Justice after the retirement of the current Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa in October 2024.
The legal luminary, born on August 5, 1960, in Murree, began his educational journey at Divisional Public School DPS Model Town, Lahore, and later pursued his LLB at the University of the Punjab, where he earned a gold medal for academic excellence.
Furthering his education, Justice Ahsan attended Cornell University in New York City, where he graduated with a master's degree in Law, securing a Chevening scholarship from the British Council for the study of commercial law in the UK.
Who is Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, the next chief justice of Supreme Court
Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah is a distinguished legal luminary, known for his extensive contributions to the judicial landscape of Pakistan. Elevating to the bench at the Lahore High Court in 2009, he swiftly rose through the ranks, serving as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court for nearly two years before his elevation to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in early 2018.
His educational journey began at Aitchison College, Lahore, and culminated in a law degree from the University of Cambridge, UK. Additionally, he holds a degree in Masters in Economics from the University of the Punjab. As a corporate litigator, he showcased his legal prowess as a partner at AFRID, SHAH & MINALLAH, demonstrating a keen interest in public interest litigation, particularly focused on environmental issues and sustainable development.
‘Conspirators against Nawaz reach climax’, Marriyum reacts to legal eagles' resignation
Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb responded to the resignations of Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, declaring that the alleged conspiracy bench against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had reached its conclusion.
Addressing the media, Aurangzeb claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding Chairman Imran Khan had previously threatened the judges involved in the case.
She questioned the integrity of the resigning judges, stating, "Can you remove the stain on your feet by resigning? Can one be absolved from all accounts by resigning?"
Justice Ahsan deems proceedings against Justice Naqvi as ‘unjust’
In a noteworthy development, Justice Ijazul Ahsan opposed the issuance of the show cause notice to Justice Mazahir Naqvi, denouncing the action as hasty, unnecessary, and against established legal standards.
His dissenting note emphasized the importance of careful deliberation and adherence to precedents, citing that the council's actions were divergent from the principles set in the Justice Qazi Faez Isa reference decision.
Justice Ahsan, in his dissenting note, unequivocally called for the withdrawal of the show cause notice issued to Justice Mazahir Naqvi. Expressing concern over the council's actions, he criticized the hasty and unconventional proceedings, deeming them contrary to established traditions and legal requirements.
Former AGP Ashtar Ausaf reacts to Justice Ijazul Ahsan's resignation as SC judge
Former Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf reacted to the resignation of Justice Ijazul Ahsan as the Supreme Court (SC) judge.
Speaking exclusively to Samaa TV, Ausaf mentioned that while negative aspects surround Ahsan's resignation, there could also be positive outcomes.
Ausaf pointed out that the resignation might be linked to heightened differences within the institution.
He commented on the upcoming challenge of filling the three vacant seats in the Supreme Court, emphasising that it would be beneficial for the country if these positions are promptly occupied.
Supreme Court judge Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi resigns
Earlier, Senior judge of the Supreme Court Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi has resigned from office. The judge has sent his resignation to the president of Pakistan.
A complaint against Justice Naqvi on charges of corruption and incomplete asset details was being heard in the Supreme Judicial Council.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court had on Tuesday rejected an appeal for issuing a stay order on the council’s proceedings.
In his resignation, the judge said that it was an honour for him to serve in the Lahore High Court and then the Supreme Court.
He further said that in the current circumstances, it was not possible for him to continue on his position. He said he decided to resign as the Supreme Court judge after thorough deliberations.
The judge also said that the masses knew what he was going through and it was all part of the record also.
Mazahir Ali Naqvi left the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s building to his residence.
Justice Naqvi denies allegations
Justice Mazhar Naqvi submitted a detailed response to the show cause notice to the Supreme Judicial Council and denied the allegations against him.
He replied that the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) could take information against the judge but could not act on any complaint.
In his reply, Naqvi said that the orders issued by the Supreme Judicial Council were tantamount to contempt of the Rules. He noted that according to the rules, an informant to the Council has no role in the proceedings.
Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi also objected to the appointment of the Attorney General as a prosecutor.
“A complainant is also pending before the Pakistan Bar Council. Attorney General’s complainant is the Chairman of Pakistan Bar Council while complaints of Bar Councils are filed on political and PDM government initiatives,” replied Justice Mazahir Naqvi.
Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) met the then Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on February 21.
Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi also objected to the appointment of the Attorney General as a prosecutor.
“A complainant is also pending before the Pakistan Bar Council. Attorney General’s complainant is the Chairman of Pakistan Bar Council while complaints of Bar Councils are filed on political and PDM government initiatives,” replied Justice Mazahir Naqvi.
Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) met the then Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on February 21.
He said on the same day of the meeting with Shahbaz Sharif, the PBC approved the resolution to file the complaint.
He maintained that the order to call witnesses before submitting the answer to show cause is illegal. “Ghulam Mahmood Dogar's case could not have been fixed in front of him, it is an administrative matter,” he said.
Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi said that he had not given any relief in the Ghulam Mehmood Dogar case.
“The allegation that anyone could approach me is completely,” he said.
“The value of a house located in St. Jones Park was estimated as per DC rate. No relief was given to a person named Zahid Rafique nor has anything to do with his business and Allied Plaza Gujranwala has no relation whatsoever,” he said in his reply submitted to the SC.
