Pakistani sworn in as CJ of Gambia

E-Paper | June 06, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Justice retired Ali Nawaz Chowhan has been appointed Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the Republic of The Gambia.

Dr Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia, administered the oath to Justice Chowhan at a ceremony held in Banjul, capital of The Gambia last week, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office here on Monday.

The ceremony was attended by ministers and government officials.

Pakistan and The Gambia enjoy close and cordial relations. The appointment of a Pakistani judge to head the highest judicial body in The Gambia attests to warmth and friendship the two countries have been enjoying in their relations.

Justice Chowhan is a distinguished and renowned international legal practitioner. He has served as a judge of the Lahore High Court and also as a judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Justice Chowhan is a graduate of Columbia Law School. He is the second judge from Pakistan to serve as chief justice of The Gambia.—APP

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Babbarsher Khan

Mar 18, 2014 10:35am

The Gambia does not have a very good reputation of being a country ruled by the law. President Yahya seized power by force and rules by dictats (and whims). Couple of years back he claimed that he had invented "cure" for AIDS. His political opponents disappear and die often in mysterious circumstances. I do not know much about Justice Chowhan, but this stint will definitely not "add any value" to his resume!

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Patriot

Mar 18, 2014 11:14am

That's an old story now... I wonder why "The Dawn" is reporting it so late... But it still gives a sense of pride to Pakistanis I guess

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Attornrey Imtiaz Syed

Mar 18, 2014 11:15am

Justice Ckowhan is a great scholar with whom I enjoyed many discussions during his tenure as Columbia Scholar. He is gifted with sagacity and patience to hear every bodys point of view. I wish our Pakistani leadership could benefit from him . He learnedstatesmanship from his great father, Chsudhry Saheb of Rawalpindi Mohalla Waris Khan who served as Mayor of City during Liaquats time. The contibution of their family for general good is blessing. i hope we can produce more people like Justice Chowhan.

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aaa

Mar 18, 2014 01:51pm

@Babbarsher Khan: Cant understand why you are negative. If someone wants a pakistani at their highest post its only positive for Pakistan.

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aaa

Mar 18, 2014 01:52pm

Good news made me proud.

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gangadin

Mar 18, 2014 11:35pm

God help the justice system in Gambia.

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Raja

Mar 19, 2014 03:27am

Any news related to Pakistan, good or bad, doesn't matter, people come from all over the world and start bashing Pakistan. What's up with these sick people?

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EVA

Mar 19, 2014 04:59am

Pakistan has many highly qualified retired and active judges on the Lahore High Court, who have graduated from creme of the creme prestigious law institutions such as Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Oxford, etc. It's the pride of Pakistan that CJ Chowhan is honoring his profession and his country by serving abroad, especially in a nation that would be served well with his eminent qualifications from Columbia Law School.

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Fazal Karim

Mar 21, 2014 01:42am

If a Pakistan can be appointed as a judge in Gambia, why not we search and induct very able persons from all over the world in our judiciary, police, Public Service Commissions and Planning Commission.

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