Irshad Hasan Khan

Justice Irshad Hasan Khan (Urdu: ارشاد حسن خان) (born on 7 January 1937) is a Pakistani jurist who served as Chief Justice of Pakistan from January 2000 to January 2002. As the chief justice, he validated the 1999 military coup against a democratically elected government by invoking the doctrine of necessity.

Chief Election Commissioner

Justice Irshad Hasan Khan was appointed Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan on 14 January 2002. He served in this position until his retirement on 13 January 2005.

Acting President

While holding the position of Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Khan also used to serve as Acting President of Pakistan when the President was abroad.

Autobiography

Irshad Nama is the autobiography of Justice Irshad Hasan Khan, the 14th Chief Justice of Pakistan. It was published in 2020 and is a fascinating account of his life and career, from his humble beginning as an orphan to his rise to the highest judicial office in the country.

The book is written in a clear and engaging style. Justice Khan discusses the challenges and controversies he encountered during his career. He also provides his perspective on several significant legal and political events in Pakistan’s recent history.

Academic affiliations

Mr Irshad Hasan Khan also performed several educational and institutional roles:

• In 2001, Justice Khan was conferred an Honorary professorship at the National Judges College of China, an educational institution located in Beijing under the jurisdiction of the Supreme People's Court. This college plays a pivotal role in the training of judges for the People's Republic of China.

• Member of the Committee appointed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Independence of Judiciary and Separation of the Judiciary from the Executive.

• Member of Sharia’h Academy, International Islamic University, Islamabad.

• Member of Syndicate, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, and Syndicate, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, and

• Member of the Board of Governors, International Islamic University, Islamabad.