Justice Mansoor Ali Shah Boycotts Chief Justice Isa’s Farewell, Claims Judiciary Weakened Under His Tenure

Senior Supreme Court judge, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, has declined to attend the farewell reference for Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, informing the registrar through an official letter.

In his letter, Justice Shah expressed that he had previously refrained from attending the farewell reference for former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar due to concerns of overstepping constitutional boundaries. For similar reasons, he has decided not to participate in the farewell reference for Chief Justice Isa.

Justice Shah explained that a Chief Justice’s primary responsibility is to safeguard public rights and defend judicial integrity. However, he claims Chief Justice Isa disregarded external influences affecting the judiciary, failed to maintain adequate checks and balances, and did not take a strong stance to defend the judiciary’s independence.

Justice Shah further noted that around the world, outgoing Chief Justices are honored for their contributions. However, he believes such honors depend on an individual’s merits and commitment to their institution.

He accused Chief Justice Isa of creating divisions among judges and allowing forces that seek to weaken the judiciary to have an influence. Justice Shah concluded that participating in the reference would send a message that undermining the institution could still be seen as honorable, a view he fundamentally disagrees with.