CJP Isa clarifies he is not seeking extension of his term ‘in any form’

Islamabad
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa on Monday clarified that he had refused a proposed extension in his tenure under age limit reforms.
Since August, there have been rumours that the government was planning to extend CJP Isa’s tenure in office, who is set to retire on October 25. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah is next in line to become the top judge.
Sources within the ruling coalition had claimed that some crucial amendments were on the cards. Without elaboration, a source had said the amendments would be tabled in the house through a supplementary agenda, indicating that it may be about a uniform extension in the retirement age of superior court judges.
The opposition has opposed any such move, with PTI Founder Imran Khan warning of a nationwide protest if the chief justice’s tenure was extended.
In an informal talk with reporters today in Islamabad after addressing a full court to mark the beginning of the new judicial year, CJP Isa was asked about him reportedly agreeing to an extension “if it was applied to all judges”.
Dismissing the claims made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s political adviser Rana Sanaullah that CJP Isa would accept the proposal if the age limit was extended for all judges, the top judge reiterated that he had refused any extension to his tenure.
“You may bring Rana Sanaullah sahib before me,” the top judge said.
According to a report in The Express Tribune, Sanaullah, said a week ago that CJP Isa had discussed the matter with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan.
Sanaullah said CJP Isa had “indicated” that while he would accept a general age limit extension for all, he would not accept an extension in his case.
The PML-N leader had also noted that the coalition government lacked the parliamentary majority required for either granting the extension or passing a constitutional amendment to facilitate it.
In his talk today, CJP Isa confirmed that a meeting — attended by the law minister, AGP Awan, and Justice Mansoor — had taken place. However, Sanaullah was not present in the meeting.
“I was told that they are [planning to] extend the chief justices’ service term. I told them that they may extend the term for others but I would not accept it,” CJP Isa said.
“I do not even know whether I would be alive tomorrow or not,” the chief justice remarked.
Asked why the suo motu case pertaining to allegations by six Islamabad High Court judges of interference in judicial matters was not being listed for hearing, Justice Isa said the date for the hearing ought to be decided by the SC’s three-judge committee.
“Justice Musarrat Hilali was not coming [to court] due to ill health. Therefore, the bench could not be constituted,” CJP Isa said.