Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has frequently found himself in the spotlight, though often for contentious reasons. The latest uproar stemmed from his decision to release an individual who had distributed an Ahmadi commentary on the Quran. Issuing a ruling on February 8, CJP Isa affirmed the rights of the persecuted Ahmadiyya community to print and distribute the “Tafseer-e-Sagheer,” a condensed version of the extensive “Tafseer-e-Kabeer,” authored by Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, the son and successor of Ahmadiyya founder Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.
But who exactly is CJP Faez Isa? Let’s delve into the life and career of one of Pakistan’s most prominent judges, who has been the subject of scrutiny before the Supreme Judicial Council.
Born on October 26, 1959, in Quetta, Justice Qazi Faez Isa is the son of the late Qazi Mohammad Isa of Pishin, a stalwart of the Pakistan Movement and a close confidant of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
His father was the first person from the province to obtain a Bar-at-Law degree and played a pivotal role in establishing the All India Muslim League in Balochistan upon his return from London. Serving as the sole member of the Central Working Committee of the All India Muslim League from Balochistan, his father left a significant legacy.
Justice Isa’s mother, Begum Saida Isa, was also a notable figure, actively involved in social work and serving in honorary capacities on the boards of hospitals and charitable organizations focusing on education, children, and women’s health.
After completing his early education in Quetta, Isa pursued his ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels at the Karachi Grammar School before venturing to London to study law. He obtained his Bar Professional Examination from the Inns of Court School of Law, London.
Isa commenced his legal career by enrolling as an Advocate of the Balochistan High Court in 1985, later becoming an Advocate of the Supreme Court in 1998. With over 27 years of practice before the High Courts of Pakistan, the Federal Shariat Court, and the Supreme Court, he earned recognition within legal circles. He held memberships in various bar associations, including the Balochistan High Court Bar Association, Sindh High Court Bar Association, and the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan.
Throughout his career, Justice Isa was frequently called upon by the High Courts and the Supreme Court to provide expert opinions and assist in complex cases. He also gained experience in international arbitration.
Sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on September 5, 2014, Justice Isa is set to assume the position of Chief Justice on September 18, 2023, for a term of 13 months. He resides in Islamabad with his wife and is a proud parent of two children and a granddaughter.
Among his notable contributions to the judiciary, Justice Qazi Faez Isa has presided over several landmark cases, showcasing his meticulous approach to jurisprudence. Noteworthy decisions include his role in investigating the Memogate scandal in 2012, the inquiry into the tragic Quetta Civil Hospital suicide attack in 2016, and the handling of the Faizabad sit-in by Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan in 2017. Through his judgements, Justice Isa has left an indelible mark on Pakistan’s legal landscape.
