Yahya Afridi has been named 30th Chief Justice of Pakistan after the prolonged meeting of the constitutional committee, as nine out of 12 members mulled top judges of the Supreme Court.
Afridi remains part of key legal proceedings, including cases concerning reserved seats in the parliament. He expressed dissent in a critical ruling related to this issue, showcasing his commitment to judicial independence and thorough deliberation. The senior juruist played his role in the Supreme Court’s nine-member bench that addressed the presidential reference concerning the execution of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Bhutto.
He also opted out of the three-member judges’ committee established for the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Ordinance 2024, a decision that raises questions about the ongoing discussions surrounding judicial reforms.
Mr Justice Yahya Afridi was born in Dera Ismail Khan on 23rd January 1965. He belongs to the Adam Khel section of the Afridi tribe located in the Kohat Frontier Region and is a resident of Village Babari Banda, District Kohat. He belongs to a family steeped in a tradition of public service.
He is a distinguished jurist who has served as Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court from 2016. He holds vast academic background, including degrees from Aitchison College, Government College Lahore, Punjab University, and Jesus College, Cambridge.
His legal career started in 90, and he held various roles, including Advocate of the High Court and Partner at Afridi, Shah & Minallah. The legal eagle also contributed to judicial reforms, environmental justice, and served on multiple administrative committees, highlighting his commitment to the rule of law and human rights in Pakistan.
Justice Yahya Afridi Education
| Degree | Institution | Year |
| O and A Levels | Aitchison College, Lahore | 1980, 1982 |
| B.A. (Economics & Political Science) | Government College, Lahore | 1985 |
| LL.B. | Punjab University Law College, Lahore | 1988 |
| M.A. (Economics) | Punjab University, Lahore | 1989 |
| LL.M. | Jesus College, Cambridge University, UK | 1990 |
Awards
- Umar Hayat Gold Medal for Best Sportsman, Aitchison College
- Head Boy, Aitchison College
- British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Scholarship
- Member of Cambridge University Polo Team
- Participant in the Commonwealth Young Lawyers Course, London
Teaching
- Visiting Professor of Law, Faculty of Law, University of Peshawar
Legal Career
| Positions | Dates |
|---|---|
| Started Practice as Advocate High Court | 1991 |
| Enrolled as an Advocate of Supreme Court | 2004 |
| Associate at Orr, Dignam & Co., Karachi | July – December 1990 |
| Fox & Gibbons, London | January – June 1991 |
| Assistant Advocate General NWFP | 1994 |
| Federal Counsel, Government of Pakistan | 1995 |
| Partner at Afridi, Shah & Minallah | 1997 – 2012 |
Judicial Career:
| Position | Date |
|---|---|
| Appointed Additional Judge, Peshawar High Court | March 15, 2010 |
| Confirmed as Permanent Judge, Peshawar High Court | March 15, 2012 |
| Chairman, Labour Appellate Tribunal | June 2010 – May 2013 |
| Company Judge, Peshawar High Court | May 2013 |
Administrative Roles:
- Head of the Automation Committee, Peshawar High Court (April 2011)
- Member of National Judicial Automation Committee (April 2011)
- Member of the Committee for Enhancing Environmental Justice (April 2011)
