Ijazul Ahsan

Ijazul Ahsan (born 5 August 1960) is a Pakistani jurist who served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan from 28 June 2016 to 11 January 2024. He resigned on 11 January 2024 following the resignation of Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, without citing a reason.

Early life and education
Ahsan was born on 5 August 1960 in Murree. He received his primary education from Divisional Public School Model Town, Lahore and attended the Forman Christian College in 1975 to 1979 where he graduated with a scholarship of merit. He later attended the Punjab University Law College in Lahore. Upon completing his Bachelor of Laws, he began practicing law and completed his apprenticeship in civil law and criminal law then later pursued post-graduate studies at Cornell University in New York where he graduated in 1987 with a master's degree in law.

Career
He was elevated to the Lahore High Court as a judge in 2009 after the Lawyers' Movement and remained as an associate partner in the oldest law firm in Pakistan, Cornelius, Lane & Mufti. He served as Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Lahore.

On 23 October 2023, a 5 member bench of the Supreme Court led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan, declared the trial of ordinary civilians in special military courts as ultra vires the Constitution.

Assassination attempt
On 15 April 2018, unknown gunmen opened fire at Ahsan's residence in Model Town, Lahore in two separate incidents, occurring only hours apart from each other. No casualties were reported.

Reactions
Then Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, visited the residence of Ahsan and ordered the Punjab Inspector general to probe the incidents.

Imran Khan condemned the attack and alluded to the possibility that it was done by the Pakistan Muslim League (N), whose leader Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by a five member bench including Ahsan that delivered the verdict.

Controversial verdicts
On 18 October 2022, a bench headed by Ahsan including Justice Naqvi and Justice Munib Akhtar, acquitted all the perpetrators involved in the Murder of Shahzeb Khan. The verdict was met with heavy criticism and anger by Pakistanis all around the country.