QUETTA: Justice Ejaz Swati has retired from his position as Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court. Following his retirement, the federal law ministry sent a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, noting the vacancy and recommending the appointment of Justice Rozi Khan Kakar as the acting Chief Justice.
It is worth mentioning that the Judicial Commission had approved Justice Ejaz Swati’s permanent appointment as Chief Justice on May 20. Prior to that, he had been serving as the acting Chief Justice.
The Balochistan High Court was established in 1976, following the reorganization of Pakistan’s judicial system after the separation of one-unit.
It serves as the highest judicial institution in the province of Balochistan, located in Quetta. The court deals with constitutional, civil, and criminal matters and ensures the enforcement of law and justice in the province.
The first Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court was Justice Mir Hazar Khan Khoso, who later also served as the caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan. Since its establishment, the court has seen several prominent jurists serve as Chief Justices. Notable names include:
Justice Mir Hazar Khan Khoso
Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai
Justice Qazi Faez Isa (later elevated to Supreme Court and now Chief Justice of Pakistan)
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail (also elevated to the Supreme Court)
Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan
Justice Ejaz Swati (the most recent, who retired in June 2025)
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Each Chief Justice has played a vital role in strengthening the judiciary in Balochistan and upholding the rule of law in one of Pakistan’s most strategically and culturally significant provinces.
