It is mostly asked who was the first chief justice of Pakistan. Here you will learn all about the Chief Justices of Pakistan since its independence of Pakistan.

The current Chief Justice of Pakistan is Mr Justcie Umer Atta Bandial. He has been serving as the 28th Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Chief Justices of Pakistan

1. Sir Abdul Rashid – 1949-1954

Sir Abdul Rasheed was the first Chief Justice of Pakistan. He was appointed as the first chief justice of Pakistan after independence. He served as the first justice of Pakistan from 1949 to 1954. So, Sir Abdul Rasheed had served for at least 5 years in the judiciary of Pakistan.

1. Mian Abdul Rashid – 1954-1955
2. Muhammad Munir – 1955-1960
3. Alvin Robert Cornelius – 1960-1968
4. Muhammad Shahabuddin – 1968-1975
5. Yaqub Ali Khan – 1975-1977
6. Sheikh Anwarul Haq – 1977-1981
7. Muhammad Haleem – 1981-1989
8. Muhammad Afzal Zullah – 1989-1993
9. Sajjad Ali Shah – 1994-1997
10. Ajmal Mian – 1997-1999
11. Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui – 1999-2000
12. Irshad Hasan Khan – 2000-2002
13. Sheikh Riaz Ahmad – 2002-2003
14. Nazim Hussain Siddiqui – 2003-2005
15. Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry – 2005-2013
16. Tassaduq Hussain Jillani – 2013-2014
17. Nasir-ul-Mulk – 2014-2015
18. Jawwad S. Khawaja – 2015
19. Anwar Zaheer Jamali – 2015-2016
20. Mian Saqib Nisar – 2016-2019
21. Asif Saeed Khan Khosa – 2019-2020
22. Gulzar Ahmed – 2020-2021
23. Umar Ata Bandial (Acting) – 2021
24. Justice (R) Muhammad Noor Meskanzai (Acting) – 2021
25. Justice (R) Umar Ata Bandial – 2021-Present

These individuals have played a crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s judicial system and upholding the rule of law in the country.

The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) is the head of the judicial system in Pakistan and plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all. This article will delve into the history of the position, the appointment process, and the responsibilities of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Brief Introduction of Chief Justices of Pakistan

Here is the list of all the chief justices of Pakistan who served since 1947:

1. Sir Abdul Rashid (1949-1954) – It was the 1st appointment in Pakistan. He was the first Chief Justice of Pakistan, appointed after independence in 1947. Moreover, before being appointed as Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr Abdul Rasheed previously served as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court.
2. Mian Abdul Rashid (1954-1955) – He succeeded Sir Abdul Rashid as Chief Justice of Pakistan. He had previously served as a judge of the Federal Court of Pakistan.
3. Muhammad Munir (1955-1960) – Munir was a prominent jurist who served as Chief Justice of Pakistan during the country’s early years. He is known for his contributions to constitutional law and his role in drafting Pakistan’s first constitution.
4. Alvin Robert Cornelius (1960-1968) – Cornelius was the first non-Muslim Chief Justice of Pakistan. He was known for his strict interpretation of the law and his controversial decisions.
5. Muhammad Shahabuddin (1968-1975) – Shahabuddin was a respected jurist who served as Chief Justice during a turbulent period in Pakistan’s history. He played a key role in resolving several constitutional crises during his tenure.
6. Yaqub Ali Khan (1975-1977) – Khan served as Chief Justice during the rule of General Zia-ul-Haq. He was known for his conservative views and his support for the military regime.
7. Sheikh Anwarul Haq (1977-1981) – Haq was a prominent jurist who had previously served as the Attorney General of Pakistan. He was known for his integrity and his commitment to the rule of law.
8. Muhammad Haleem (1981-1989) – Haleem was a respected judge who served as Chief Justice during a period of political turmoil in Pakistan. He was known for his independent and impartial approach to the law.
9. Muhammad Afzal Zullah (1989-1993) – Zullah was a prominent jurist who had previously served as a judge of the Lahore High Court. He was known for his contributions to environmental law and his commitment to human rights.
10. Sajjad Ali Shah (1994-1997) – Shah was a highly respected jurist who served as Chief Justice during a period of political instability in Pakistan. He played a key role in resolving several constitutional crises during his tenure.
11. Ajmal Mian (1997-1999) – Mian was a senior judge who served as Chief Justice for a brief period before retiring due to health reasons.
12. Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui (1999-2000) – Siddiqui was a highly respected jurist who had previously served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was known for his independent and impartial approach to the law.
13. Irshad Hasan Khan (2000-2002) – Khan was a senior judge who had previously served as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court. He was known for his contributions to labour law and his commitment to human rights.
14. Sheikh Riaz Ahmad (2002-2003) – Ahmad was a highly respected judge who had previously served as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court. He was known for his independent and impartial approach to the law.
15. Nazim Hussain Siddiqui (2003-2005) – Siddiqui was a respected jurist who had previously served as a judge of the Sindh High Court. He was known for his contributions to constitutional law and his commitment to the rule of law.
16. Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry (2005-2013) – Chaudhry
17. Tassaduq Hussain Jillani (2013-2014) – Jillani was a highly respected judge who had previously served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was known for his contributions to human rights and his commitment to the rule of law.
18. Nasir-ul-Mulk (2014-2015) – Mulk was a senior judge who had previously served as the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court. He was known for his impartiality and his commitment to judicial reform.
19. Jawwad S. Khawaja (2015-2015) – Khawaja was a highly respected judge who had previously served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He retired from the position of Chief Justice after only two weeks due to health reasons.
20. Anwar Zaheer Jamali (2015-2016) – Jamali was a respected jurist who had previously served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was known for his commitment to the rule of law and his efforts to reform the judiciary.
21. Mian Saqib Nisar (2016-2019) – Nisar was a highly respected judge who had previously served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was known for his commitment to judicial reform and his efforts to improve access to justice for ordinary citizens.
22. Asif Saeed Khan Khosa (2019-2019) – Khosa was a senior judge who had previously served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He retired from the position of Chief Justice after only 11 months.
23. Gulzar Ahmed (2019-) – Ahmed is the current Chief Justice of Pakistan. He is known for his conservative views and his commitment to the rule of law.

Functions and Powers of Chief Justice in Pakistan

The position of Chief Justice of Pakistan was established in 1947 after the creation of Pakistan. The first Chief Justice was Sir Abdul Rashid, who served from 1949-1954. Since then, there have been a total of 28 Chief Justices in Pakistan.

Appointment Process

The appointment process for the Chief Justice of Pakistan is outlined in the Constitution of Pakistan. The President of Pakistan appoints the Chief Justice in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. The appointment is then confirmed by the Parliamentary Committee on the Appointment of Judges.

Responsibilities of the Chief Justice

The Chief Justice of Pakistan has a wide range of responsibilities, including:

1. Upholding the Constitution and the Rule of Law

The Chief Justice is responsible for upholding the Constitution and ensuring that all laws comply with it. They are also responsible for interpreting the Constitution and resolving any conflicts that may arise.

2. Administering Justice

The Chief Justice is responsible for administering justice in Pakistan. They preside over cases in the Supreme Court and have the power to review decisions made by lower courts.

3. Appointment of Judges

The Chief Justice is responsible for appointing judges to the Supreme Court and other courts in Pakistan. They are also responsible for ensuring that the selection process is fair and transparent.

4. Court Management

The Chief Justice is responsible for managing the court system in Pakistan. They are responsible for ensuring that cases are heard in a timely manner and that the court system is functioning efficiently.

5. Public Interest Litigation

The Chief Justice has the power to take up cases of public interest and ensure that justice is served. They can also take action against government officials or agencies that are not acting in the best interest of the public.

Challenges and Controversies

Over the years, the position of Chief Justice of Pakistan has been the subject of controversy and criticism. Some have accused the Chief Justice of overstepping their authority or taking political positions. Others have criticized the appointment process as being opaque or subject to political interference.

Conclusion

The Chief Justice of Pakistan plays a crucial role in ensuring justice and upholding the rule of law in Pakistan. While the position has faced its fair share of challenges and controversies, it remains an important institution in the country’s judicial system.

FAQs

1. What is the tenure of the Chief Justice of Pakistan?

• The Chief Justice of Pakistan serves a term of three years.

2. Can the Chief Justice be impeached?

• Yes, the Chief Justice can be impeached for misconduct or violation of the Constitution.

3. How are judges appointed in Pakistan?

• Judges are appointed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan in consultation with the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.

4. What is public interest litigation?

• Public interest litigation is a legal action taken by an individual or organization to promote the public interest.

5. How many judges are there in the Supreme Court of Pakistan?

• Currently, there are 17 judges in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.