CJ Qazi Faez Isa had ‘head in sand’, says Justice Mansoor Ali Shah

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah refused to attend Friday’s full court reference in honor of the outgoing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Qazi Faez Isa.

The senior puisne judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, in a letter of refusal on the record of the reference proceedings, alleged that CJP Isa had not upheld the integrity of the judiciary during his tenure.

Full court reference is a long-standing tradition in legal systems and a ceremonial acknowledgement of the outgoing Chief Justice’s contributions and services to the judiciary, leadership and dedication to upholding the judiciary integrity.

“To stand a Reference and celebrate such a tenure would send a message that a Chief Justice can betray his institution, erode its strength, act petty and low and still be celebrated as an honorable servant of justice. I am sorry, I in good conscious, cannot stand at a reference for such a Chief Justice,” opined Mansoor Ali Shah in the letter.

He also alleged that Qazi Faez Isa had compromised the very foundation of the rule of law during his tenure and betrayed the judiciary’s sacred role.

Syed Mansoor Ali Shah added, “Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, like an ostrich, with his head in the sand, remained complacent and indifferent to external influences and pressure on the judiciary.”

Recalling the previous full court reference in honour of the former CJP Mian Saqib Nisar, the judge said that he had not attended his reference, too, as Saqib Nisar overstepped the boundaries of his constitutional role and ventured into matters beyond his jurisdiction.

“His tenure will be defined by pettiness, vindictiveness, and a lowly approach to administrative matters, having no grace or humility,” he said to Qazi Faez Isa while concluding in a letter.

On Thursday night, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Ayesha Malik, and Justice Shahid Waheed, along with Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, remained absent at the reception of Qazi Faez Isa.