Justice Yahya Afridi, a distinguished figure in Pakistan’s judiciary, has a life marked by resilience, dedication, and a commitment to justice. Born on January 23, 1965, in Dera Ismail Khan, he hails from the Adam Khel section of the Afridi tribe, rooted in the Kohat Frontier Region. His family’s strong tradition of public service influenced his early years, motivating him to pursue law as a tool for social impact. He began his education at Aitchison College, Lahore, and continued with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Government College Lahore, followed by a Master’s in Economics from Punjab University. Awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship, Afridi completed his LL.M. at the University of Cambridge, which deepened his legal foundation and introduced him to international perspectives on justice and law.
Justice Afridi began his career in law by working at the prestigious firm Orr, Dignam & Co. in Karachi and later started his private practice in Peshawar. His advocacy work led him to a lecturing role at Khyber Law College, where he taught International, Labor, and Administrative Law. In 1990, he was enrolled as an advocate in the Peshawar High Court, later advancing to the Supreme Court in 2004. His notable appointment as Assistant Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) further allowed him to address legal issues impacting the province. His experiences in KP helped him understand the unique legal challenges of the region, further strengthening his reputation as a dedicated and competent legal expert.
In 2010, Afridi’s judicial journey took a major turn when he was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Peshawar High Court. His judicial acumen and balanced approach quickly earned him a permanent position in 2012. On December 30, 2016, he made history by becoming the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, the first individual from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to hold this role. His tenure as Chief Justice brought substantial improvements in judicial procedures and gained him widespread respect for his fair judgments on high-profile cases. He continued his judicial ascent by being elevated to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2018, where he tackled numerous important cases, often writing influential opinions that underscored his independent stance and commitment to justice.
Throughout his Supreme Court career, Justice Afridi has upheld judicial independence. For instance, he was among the petitioners who opposed the 2007 emergency imposed by President Pervez Musharraf, showcasing his dedication to upholding the rule of law. His involvement in the high-profile presidential reference case concerning the execution of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto displayed his willingness to handle politically significant cases with a balanced and analytical approach. Recently, in 2024, he declined to be part of a committee formed to review the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Ordinance, further affirming his commitment to judicial integrity and independence【8†source.
Justice Afridi’s nomination as the Chief Justice of Pakistan was recently approved, positioning him as a pivotal figure expected to steer the judiciary through complex legal and political challenges. His life exemplifies resilience, marked by a rigorous journey through Pakistan’s legal landscape and a commitment to fair jurisprudence and public service.