In a noteworthy development within the judiciary, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa explicitly mentioned Justice Athar Minallah by name in his note concerning the delay in a case decision.
The CJP’s note introduces a potentially new practice in the judiciary, where judges may start to acknowledge their colleagues formally in the notes accompanying court decisions.
In his additional note, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa expressed profound concern over Justice Athar Minallah‘s procrastination in drafting a judgment.
CJP emphasized the urgency of resolving cases swiftly to uphold the integrity and efficiency of the judiciary. “If I, as the Chief Justice of Pakistan, do not remind my distinguished colleagues of the matters above and implore them to decide cases expeditiously, I will be shirking my responsibility,” stated Chief Justice Isa.
This move has sparked a conversation within legal circles about the implications of such mentions and whether this will lead to a trend where judges highlight the performance or delays caused by their peers in judicial decisions. The practice could increase judges’ transparency and accountability and raise questions about the impact on collegial relations within the judiciary.