ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Yahya Afridi, has once again refused permission for Justice Mansoor Ali Shah to travel abroad for an international legal event.
Justice Mansoor Shah was invited by Yale Law School to attend the Global Constitutionalism 2025 conference in the United States, scheduled from September 10 to 13. The event brings together senior judges and scholars from top universities, including Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.
This year, Justice Shah was to present a paper on “Artificial Intelligence and Justice.” Yale Law School had formally requested Chief Justice Yahya Afridi to nominate him for the conference, highlighting his expertise in the field.
However, the Supreme Court registrar informed Yale that Justice Shah would not be able to participate due to the start of Pakistan’s judicial year on September 8. The registrar emphasized that full court sessions, annual reviews, and traditional interactions with the legal community require the presence of all judges.
Justice Shah had earlier submitted a formal request on August 15, seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) for his travel. In his application, he highlighted how attending the conference would benefit Pakistan’s judiciary and enhance international legal collaboration. Despite this, the request was not approved by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi.
The denial has sparked discussions among legal circles about balancing international judicial engagement with domestic judicial responsibilities. Justice Shah has consistently received invitations to this annual event over the past five years, making this year’s refusal notable.
Observers say the decision reflects the importance of maintaining judicial continuity at the start of the court year, even as it limits opportunities for judges to participate in global forums on law and technology.
The Global Constitutionalism conference remains a key platform for international legal dialogue, and Justice Shah’s absence marks a rare gap in Pakistan’s representation.
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