Who is Justice Yahya Afridi ?

Justice Yahya Afridi, born in 1965, is a distinguished figure in Pakistan’s judiciary with a career marked by significant legal achievements. He completed his early education at Aitchison College, Lahore, and furthered his legal studies on a Commonwealth Scholarship at Jesus College, Cambridge University, earning an LLM degree.

He began his legal practice in 1990 as a High Court lawyer and expanded to the Supreme Court in 2004. During his early career, he served as the Assistant Advocate General for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, offering legal expertise at the provincial level.

In 2010, Justice Afridi was appointed as an Additional Judge at the Peshawar High Court, and two years later, on March 15, 2012, he was made a permanent judge. His career took a major leap when he was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court on December 30, 2016. He was later elevated to the Supreme Court of Pakistan on June 28, 2018.

Justice Afridi has been part of numerous key cases, including those heard by larger benches. He is known for his legal insight, notably penning a dissenting opinion in a case concerning reserved seats, which demonstrated his independent judicial approach. He was also a member of the historic nine-judge bench that examined the presidential reference challenging the execution of former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

More recently, Justice Afridi made headlines when he declined to be part of a three-member committee formed under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Ordinance 2024. This decision drew attention, highlighting his stance on maintaining judicial independence.

Justice Yahya Afridi’s career is defined by a blend of legal expertise, integrity, and a commitment to upholding justice, making him a respected name in Pakistan’s judicial landscape.