Islamabad: Supreme Court’s senior-most judge, Ijaz Ul Ahsan resigned, day after Justice Mazahar Ali Naqvi resigned from office. According to sources, Justice Ijazul Ahsan has sent his written resignation to President, Dr. Arif Alvi.

Justice Ijazul Hassan, third-most senior judge on Supreme Court was notably absent from today’s meeting of Supreme Judicial Council. With his position in seniority, Justice Ejazul Hassan was considered leading candidate for role of Chief Justice of Supreme Court, expected to assume position in October 2024.

On March 10, 2024, Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, second-most senior judge in hierarchy is set to retire. Following Justice Ijaz’s resignation and Justice Sardar Tariq’s retirement, Justice Mansoor will ascend to become most senior judge on 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 role of Chief Justice. These developments mark significant changes in leadership structure of Supreme Court.

Justice Ejaz recused himself from participating in 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 day ago.

Justice Ahsan, born and raised in picturesque town of Murree had been widely anticipated to assume role of Chief Justice after retirement of current Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa in October 2024.

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 University of Punjab, where he earned gold medal for academic excellence. Furthering his education, Justice Ahsan attended Cornell University in New York City, where he graduated with master’s degree in Law, securing Chevening scholarship from British Council for study of commercial law in UK.

In noteworthy development, Justice Ijazul Ahsan opposed issuance of show cause notice to Justice Mazahir Naqvi, denouncing action as hasty, unnecessary and against established legal standards.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 12 2024

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