According to the party’s chairman, Barrister Gohar, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has confirmed its acceptance of Justice Yahya Afridi as the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). He emphasized that while PTI opposes the 26th Amendment, it fully supports the appointment of the new CJP.
Barrister Gohar clarified that despite Justice Afridi’s appointment stemming from the controversial amendment, the party acknowledges his position as CJP. This stance comes amid internal discussions within PTI’s political committee about potentially demanding Justice Afridi’s resignation, which Barrister Gohar has denied.
He further mentioned that the political committee had recently agreed to participate in the Judicial Commission. This decision aligns with advice from PTI senator and senior lawyer Hamid Khan, who has publicly urged Justice Afridi to decline the government’s premature offer to become chief justice, suggesting it could tarnish his reputation.
Speaking at a Lahore High Court Bar Association press conference, Hamid advised Justice Afridi to await his rightful turn, asserting that accepting the role early might create divisions within the judiciary.
Despite initially opposing the 26th Amendment and boycotting the Special Parliamentary Committee’s proceedings that nominated Justice Afridi, some PTI leaders, including Barrister Gohar, Ali Zafar, and Omar Ayub, strongly advocate participating in the Judicial Commission to avoid giving the government unchecked power to form constitutional benches.
