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Writer's pictureAsghar Kamal

Justice Qazi Faez Isa:A Controversial Journey and the Path to Fair Elections

Updated: Nov 1, 2023

Positive Side

Qazi Faez Isa: A Distinguished Jurist and Defender of Justice


The Remarkable Career and Contributions of Justice Qazi Faez Isa


Justice Qazi Faez Isa, a prominent jurist in Pakistan, has made significant contributions to the legal field throughout his illustrious career. His dedication to upholding justice and the rule of law has earned him a distinguished reputation. In this article, we will highlight some of the positive aspects of Qazi Faez Isa's life and career.


Early Life and Education: A Legacy of Service

Born on October 26, 1959, in Quetta, Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa hails from an influential family with a legacy of service to the nation. His grandfather, Qazi Jalaluddin, played a pivotal role in the region's history, fleeing Afghanistan to escape Hazara persecutions and later serving as the Prime Minister of the Princely state of Kalat during British Raj. Justice Isa's father, Qazi Muhammad Isa, was an active participant in Pakistan's independence movement and a close associate of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. This family background instilled in him a sense of duty towards his country and its people.


He pursued his education diligently, completing his primary and secondary schooling in Quetta and achieving his "O" and "A" levels at Karachi Grammar School. His pursuit of legal knowledge led him to London, where he obtained a B.A. (Honours) in Law and passed the Bar professional examination from the Inns of Court School of Law. He was subsequently called to the Bar of England and Wales (Middle Temple) in 1982.


A Distinguished Legal Career: Upholding Justice

Justice Qazi Faez Isa embarked on a legal career that spanned over 27 years. He served as an Advocate of the Balochistan High Court from January 1985 and later became an Advocate Supreme Court in March 1998. His practice included appearances before all High Courts of Pakistan, the Federal Shariat Court, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was an active member of various bar associations, including the Balochistan High Court Bar Association, Sindh High Court Bar Association, and the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan.


Notably, Justice Isa was often called upon by High Courts and the Supreme Court to serve as amicus curiae, providing valuable assistance in complex cases. His expertise extended to international arbitrations, and many cases in which he appeared as Counsel were reported in law journals.


Contributions to Legal Scholarship: Writing and Publications

Justice Isa's commitment to the legal field extended beyond his courtroom appearances. He actively contributed to legal scholarship through his writings. He co-authored the book "Mass Media Laws and Regulations in Pakistan" and authored the report "Balochistan: Case and Demand." His writings demonstrated his dedication to ensuring transparency, justice, and the rule of law in Pakistan.


A Defender of Human Rights: Upholding Constitutional Values

Throughout his career, Justice Qazi Faez Isa consistently defended human rights, constitutional values, and the rule of law. In cases such as the Faizabad dharna judgment, he addressed the constitutional right to free movement and spoke out against the rise of extremism in Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of freedom of speech, expression, and press while condemning censorship of the media.


In the case of Salamat Mansha Masih v The State, Justice Isa advocated for a fair trial and due process, especially in cases relating to religion and blasphemy. His commitment to upholding human rights earned praise from organizations such as Amnesty International.


Transparency and Integrity: Leading by Example

Justice Isa's commitment to transparency and integrity extended to his personal life. In response to a freedom of information request, he voluntarily published details of all his assets, income, and privileges on the Supreme Court website. His wife, Mrs. Sarina Isa, also followed suit, emphasizing their dedication to openness and accountability.


Presidential Reference: Upholding the Law

Justice Isa faced challenges during his career, including a presidential reference filed against him in May 2019. However, the Supreme Court later struck down the reference, emphasizing procedural irregularities and a disregard for the law. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan acknowledged that the filing of the reference had been a mistake, further highlighting the integrity of Justice Isa's actions.


In conclusion, Justice Qazi Faez Isa has left an indelible mark on Pakistan's legal landscape. His unwavering commitment to justice, human rights, and the rule of law has made him a respected figure in the legal community and beyond. As he prepares to assume the role of Chief Justice of Pakistan, his legacy of upholding constitutional values and defending the rights of citizens will undoubtedly continue to shape the nation's legal system for years to come.


Here are the references for the article about Justice Qazi Faez Isa:


1. "Profile of Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Baluchistan High Court website." Retrieved 27 August 2021.

2. National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research 1998.

3. "Profile of Justice Qazi Faez Isa." Supreme Court Of Pakistan website. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.

4. Malik, Hasnaat (21 June 2023). "In unprecedented move, Justice Isa notified as next CJ." The Express Tribune. Retrieved 25 June 2023.

5. "The Idea of Pakistan." South Asia@LSE. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.

6. Owen O’Shea; Gordon Revington (8 October 2018). Century of Politics in the Kingdom: A County Kerry Compendium. Merrion Press. pp. 103–. ISBN 978-1-78537-203-2.

7. Javed, Saleem (29 June 2012). "Hope fades away for Hazaras of Pakistan." Dawn. Archived from the original on 21 February 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2020.

8. "August 2016 Quetta attacks", Wikipedia, 20 January 2023, retrieved 31 January 2023.

9. Dawn.com (6 February 2019). "10 major takeaways from SC's Faizabad sit-in judgment." WWW.DAWN.COM Retrieved 8 February 2023.

10. Amnesty International described the judgment as 'a flicker of hope for human rights in South Asia'.[25]

11. Iqbal, Nasir (23 June 2023). "SC seeks full record of May 9 arrests after Isa 'rises' from bench." WWW.DAWN.COM Retrieved 25 June 2023.

12. "Justice Faez Isa's note on civilians' military trials removed from SC website." 23 June 2023. Retrieved 25 June 2023.

13. "Military courts: Justice Isa's note on 9-member bench removed from SC website." www.geo.tv Retrieved 22 August 2023.

14. Bhatti, Haseeb (19 June 2020). "SC throws out presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa, terms it 'invalid'." WWW.DAWN.COM Retrieved 31 January 2023.

15. "Supreme Court quashes presidential reference against Justice Faez Isa." www.thenews.com.pk Retrieved 31 January 2023.

16. "Reference filed against Justice Qazi Faez Isa 'in wanton disregard of the law': Supreme Court." www.thenews.com.pk Retrieved 2 February 2023.

17. "Reference against Isa was a 'mistake': Imran." The Express Tribune. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2023.

18. "Curative review: CJ's role 'crucial' in Justice Isa case." The Express Tribune. 6 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.

19. News Desk (27 July 2022). "Federal Cabinet To Withdraw Reference Against Justice Qazi Faez Isa From Supreme Judicial Council." The Friday Times - Naya Daur. Retrieved 2 February 2023.

20. Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (28 July 2022). "Govt to withdraw review petition against Justice Qazi Faez Isa." WWW.DAWN.COM Retrieved 8 February 2023.

21. https://tribune.com.pk/author/1066 (30 March 2023). "PM orders withdrawal of curative review against Justice Isa." The Express Tribune. Retrieved 22 August 2023.

22. https://tribune.com.pk/author/458 (21 July 2023). "PTI-era review petition against Isa dismissed." The Express Tribune. Retrieved 22 August 2023.

23. Declaration of assets Supreme Court of Pakistan.


These references provide the sources and context for the information presented in the article.

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