Justice Munib takes oath as acting CJP

ISLAMABAD: Justice Munib Akhtar, the next senior most Judge of Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday took oath as acting Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The oath was administered by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail in a ceremony held here in the Supreme Court. Justice Munib Akhtar will act as Chief Justice of Pakistan with effect from 30th May 2025 to 6th June 2025.

It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi left for Saudi Arabia to perform Haj and he will return on June 10.

As per seniority, after Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah is the next most senior judge of the Supreme Court however, Justice Shah is currently abroad therefore, Justice Munib Akhtar, next senior most judge of the Supreme Court took oath as acting Chief Justice of Pakistan.

It was learnt that Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah is likely to return on June 5 hence he will take oath as acting Chief Justice of Pakistan till the time Chief Justice Yahya Afridi return to the country on June 10.

On Friday, the oath taking ceremony was attended by judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, senior lawyers and officers of the Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan.

Muhammad Salim Khan, Registrar Supreme Court, conducted the proceedings of oath-taking ceremony. Officers and staff of the Supreme Court of Pakistan were also present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that Justice Aminuddin Khan is also leaving for Saudi Arabia today (Saturday) to perform Haj. Justice Aminuddin Khan is currently heading an 11-member constitutional bench hearing review petitions against the apex court judgment of July 12, 2024, that had declared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) was entitled to get reserved seats for women and minorities in the National and provincial assemblies.

Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) have filed review petitions against the detailed judgment in the reserved seats case.

The bench the other day had adjourned the hearing until June 16 while counsel for Sunni Itehad Council (SIC) was still arguing before the bench in rebuttal.