Born in Quetta on October 26, 1959, Justice Qazi Faez Isa is the son of the late Qazi Mohammad Isa of Pishin, who was in the forefront of the Pakistan Movement and a close associate of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s father was the first person from the province to acquire the Bar-at-Law degree and helped establish the All India Moslem League in Balochistan after his return from London. His father had served as the only member on the Central Working Committee of the All India Moslem League from Balochistan.
Begum Saida Isa, Justice Qazi Isa mother, was a social worker and worked in an honorary capacity on the boards of hospitals and other charitable organisations which focussed on education, children and women’s health issues.
After completing his primary and secondary education in Quetta, Isa moved to Karachi to finish his ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels from the Karachi Grammar School (KGS). He then went on to study law from London, where he completed his Bar Professional Examination from the Inns of Court School Law, London.
Justice Qazi Faez enrolled as an Advocate of the Balochistan High Court on January 30, 1985, and as an Advocate Supreme Court in March 1998.
He has practised law for over 27 years before the High Courts of Pakistan, the Federal Shariat Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He became a member of the Balochistan High Court Bar Association, Sindh High Court Bar Association and Life Member of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan.
From time to time, he was called upon by the High Courts and the Supreme Court as amicus curiae and rendered assistance in certain complicated cases. He has also conducted international arbitration.
Justice Qazi Isa took oath as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on September 5, 2014.
Justice Qazi Faez Isa
Challenges ahead:
The biggest challenge Justice Qazi Isa may encounter during his tenure as the CJP would be unifying the court and restoring the court’s credibility, so that no one could point a finger at the court’s judgements.
The perceived practise of the formation of a particular bench consisting of ‘like-minded judges’ to hear constitutional matters of public importance has become the basis of criticism of the top judiciary.
There has been a general feeling that senior judges were being left out in the formation of benches for desired outcomes of the proceedings.
On his first day at the helm on Monday, Justice Qazi Faez will take up a set of challenges to the Supreme Court (Practise and Procedure) Act 2023 — a bill that required the formation of benches on constitutional matters of public importance by a committee of three senior judges.
An eight-judge bench headed by the outgoing CJP on April 13 suspended the enforcement of the Supreme Court (Practise & Procedure) Act, 2023.
In a statement, a Justice Qazi Faez -led commission had earlier questioned the formation of a bench that was hearing a set of six challenges against the probe body formed to look into the audio leaks, saying that the bench hearing the matter was not determined by a three-member committee of judges as required under the suspended act.
Since the petitions challenging the audio commission were not fixed before the bench constituted by the committee of judges; therefore, these petitions cannot be heard until the committee determines which bench should hear them, the commission had stated.
On June 3, Justice Qazi Isa decided not to sit on a nine-judge bench hearing cases on the trial of civilians by the military courts, saying he did not want to violate the suspension of the law; until the court decides about the vires of the practise and procedure law he will not sit on the benches. As a result, Justice Qazi Faez chose to do chamber work instead of holding court hearings.
The biggest testJustice Qazi Isa may face as the CJP, according to a senior counsel who wished not to be named, will come when the controversy regarding general elections within 90 days of the dissolution of the national and provincial assemblies may land in the Supreme Court.
In addition, he will also have to maintain a working relationship with the executive. President Arif Alvi asked the Election Commission of Pakistan to seek guidance from the Supreme Court on holding general elections on the same day.
About the pending hearing on the trial of civilians by the military courts, the counsel explained that the case may not be his individual challenge but of the entire court, and since Justice Qazi Faez
In a dissenting judgement against military courts in August 2015, Justice Qazi Isa observed the 21st Amendment does not succeed in its attempt to try civilians by the military and that the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, which if implemented would help to stem terrorism and also ensure the conviction of terrorists.
To determine how Justice Qazi Faez will conduct his business at the SC, the senior lawyer said he “understands the dynamics clearly” as he remained the top judge of the Balochistan High Court from 2009 to 2014 — a very sensitive period when military operations were ongoing in Balochistan. Another challenge for Justice Qazi Isa will also be how to tackle the whopping pendency of over 56,000 cases.
Qazi Faez Isa: The Distinguished Pakistani Jurist
1. Introduction
justice Qazi Faez Isa, a prominent Pakistani jurist, is a name that resonates throughout the legal world. With a career spanning decades and a commitment to upholding the rule of law, he has left an indelible mark on Pakistan’s legal landscape. In this article, we delve into the life, career, and contributions of justice Qazi Faez Isa, shedding light on his remarkable journey as a jurist.
2. Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s Background
justice Qazi Faez Isa was born on October 26, 1959, in Quetta, Pakistan. He hails from a family with a rich tradition of legal and judicial service. His father, Qazi Muhammad Essa, was a respected judge, and this familial influence played a pivotal role in shaping justice Qazi Faez Isa’s career path.
He pursued his early education in Quetta and later attended the prestigious Aitchison College in Lahore. His academic prowess became evident early on, and he went on to study law at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, where he obtained a degree in law.
3. Legal Career and Achievements
justice Qazi Faez Isa’s legal career is nothing short of illustrious. After completing his education, he returned to Pakistan and embarked on his journey as a legal practitioner. He quickly gained recognition for his exceptional legal acumen and dedication to justice.
Some of his notable achievements in his legal career include:
- Serving as an advocate at the Balochistan High Court.
- Becoming an advocate at the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
- Being appointed as the Advocate General of Balochistan, where he represented the provincial government.
His unwavering commitment to justice and his impeccable legal skills garnered respect and admiration from peers and the legal community at large.
4. Justice Qazi Faez Isa Contributions to Jurisprudence
justrice Qazi Faez Isa’s contributions to jurisprudence extend far beyond his courtroom appearances. He has authored several legal publications that have enriched legal discourse in Pakistan. His writings delve into a wide range of legal issues, offering insightful perspectives and analysis.
Additionally, his participation in various legal conferences and seminars has allowed him to share his expertise and contribute to the development of legal thought in Pakistan. His dedication to upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights has made him a beacon of hope for those seeking justice.
5. Controversies and Challenges
Like many distinguished jurists, justice Qazi Faez Isa has not been immune to controversy and challenges. One of the most notable episodes in his career was his role in the Panama Papers case. In 2017, he was part of a Supreme Court bench that conducted an inquiry into the financial assets of several Pakistani politicians, including the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
This inquiry brought him into the spotlight, and he faced both praise and criticism for his stance. Despite the challenges and pressure, justice Qazi Faez Isa remained steadfast in his commitment to the principles of justice and transparency.
5.1. Justice Qazi Faez Isa Panama Papers Case – A Turning Point
The Panama Papers case was a turning point in justice Qazi Faez Isa’s career. It highlighted the critical role of the judiciary in holding public figures accountable for their financial dealings. While some hailed him as a hero of justice, others accused him of political bias. Nevertheless, he remained resolute in upholding the rule of law.
6. (FAQs)
6.1. What are Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s notable achievements?
Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s notable achievements include serving as an advocate at the Balochistan High Court, becoming an advocate at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and being appointed as the Advocate General of Balochistan.
6.2. What is the Panama Papers case, and what was Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s role in it?
The Panama Papers case involved an inquiry into the financial assets of Pakistani politicians, including the Prime Minister. Justice Qazi Faez Isa was part of the Supreme Court bench that conducted this inquiry, making significant contributions to the case.
6.3. What is Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s stance on the rule of law and justice?
Justice Qazi Faez Isa is known for his unwavering commitment to the rule of law and justice. Throughout his career, he has consistently upheld these principles, earning respect and admiration for his dedication.
