Late Chief Justice (Retd.) Abdul Karim Khan Kundi
Former Chief Justice, Peshawar High Court
Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan
Founding Partner, Kundi & Kundi Advocates & Legal Consultants
M.A. Economics (Karachi, 1958) | LL.B. (Karachi, 1958) | APSA Congressional Fellow (Washington D.C., 1977–78)
Chief Justice (Retd.) Abdul Karim Khan Kundi was one of Pakistan’s most revered judicial figures and the founding luminary of KUNDI & KUNDI Advocates and Legal Consultants. With a legal and judicial career extending more than five decades, he brought rare dual authority to the profession—having presided over the bench at the highest constitutional levels while playing a direct hand in federal legislative drafting and appellate practice.
After joining the West Pakistan Judicial Service in 1960, Justice Kundi rose across provincial and federal institutions. His distinguished judicial tenure culminated in his elevation as Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court (1993–1995) and Senior Puisne Judge of the Federal Shariat Court. Beyond the bench, he served as Deputy and Joint Secretary in the federal Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, as well as Law Secretary for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (then N.-W.F.P.), contributing directly to Pakistan’s statutory and institutional development.
Following his retirement from the bench, Justice Kundi established active private practice as a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and founding head of Kundi & Kundi in Islamabad. He served as a life member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, held leadership roles in corporate governance across leading financial institutions, and chaired several regulatory commissions. His career established a gold standard of judicial independence, statutory insight, and professional ethics that remains the guiding ethos of our firm.
Chief Justice & Appellate Appointments:
Chief Justice, Peshawar High Court (1993–1995)
Senior Puisne Judge, Peshawar High Court (1991–1993)
Senior Puisne Judge, Federal Shariat Court (1989–1991)
Elevated as Judge, Peshawar High Court (1983–1989)
Secretariat & Legislative Governance:
Secretary, Law Department, Government of N.-W.F.P. (1981–1983)
Joint Secretary, Federal Ministry of Law & Parliamentary Affairs (1976–1981)
Deputy Secretary, Federal Ministry of Law & Parliamentary Affairs (1975–1976)
Subordinate Judiciary:
District and Sessions Judge, Bannu (1973–1975)
Additional District and Sessions Judge (Mardan, Haripur, Peshawar) (1972–1973)
Senior Civil Judge (Gujranwala, Rahim Yar Khan, Abbottabad, Peshawar) (1967–1972)
Civil Judge, West Pakistan Judicial Service (D.G. Khan, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Lahore) (1960–1967)
Legal Practice & Bar Associations:
Founding Senior Advocate, Kundi & Kundi Advocates & Legal Consultants, Islamabad (1996)
Life Member, Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP)
Member, Lahore High Court Bar Association (Rawalpindi Bench)
Statutory, Regulatory & Public Councils:
Commissioner / Chairman, Council of Complaints NWFP, PEMRA (2002)
Chairman, PTA Regional Committee on Cable TV, NWFP (2001–2002)
Member, Central Zakat Council (1998–2001)
Presiding Officer, Customs Special Appellate Court (1991–1993)
Chairman, Labour Appellate Tribunal NWFP (1987–1989)
Member, Syndicate, Gomal University (1991–1995)
Land Acquisition Judge, Tarbela Project (1972–1973)
Corporate Boards:
Director, KASB Bank Limited (2002–2006)
Director, Pak Apex Leasing Company Limited (2002–2003)
Director, Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari & Co. Ltd. (1999–2002)
"In Memoriam"
A Judge with High Legal Acumen
“Almighty Allah had gifted him with very good legal acumen and talent. He was a very painstaking person, had a quick approach, and reached deep into the bottom of an issue by just a glimpse. He was a man of reason and conviction with a high degree of skill of expression.”
At a high judicial reference held at the Peshawar High Court, top leadership of the bench and bar—including the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, the Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Additional Attorney General, the President of the PHC Bar Association, and senior counsel—gathered to honor the enduring judicial legacy of the late Chief Justice (Retd.) Abdul Karim Khan Kundi.
Hailing from the village of Pai in District Tank, Justice Kundi rose through sheer intellect and dedication from his appointment to the West Pakistan Judicial Service in 1960 to the helm of the provincial judiciary as Chief Justice (1993–1995). Speakers highlighted his exceptional mastery across both the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa legal jurisdictions, noting that his direct involvement in federal legislative drafting and 35-year tenure on the bench left an indelible mark on Pakistani jurisprudence.