Justice Munib Akhtar CJP took oath as Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan on Thursday, October 15, while Justice Yahya Afridi, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, is abroad on a private visit to the United Kingdom. Justice Akhtar will act as chief justice for the period of Justice Afridi's absence.
A formal ceremony at the Supreme Court
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail administered the oath in a simple, dignified ceremony held at the Supreme Court in Islamabad. The Registrar of the Supreme Court conducted the proceedings, and officers and staff of the court were present.
Judges of the Supreme Court attended, along with the Director General of the Federal Judicial Academy, the Secretary of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, the Secretary of the Supreme Judicial Council and law officers.
Who is acting, and what the title means
Justice Akhtar is the Senior Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court, meaning he is the most senior of the court's judges after the chief justice. Puisne is a legal term for judges other than the chief justice. The word acting means the appointment is temporary and lasts only while the chief justice is away.
The report does not say how long Justice Afridi will remain abroad, so the length of the acting arrangement is not confirmed. Justice Munib Akhtar CJP's oath is the only change the report describes, and the sources do not mention any other changes to the court's leadership.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Justice Munib Akhtar ne Thursday ko Supreme Court mein qaim maqam Chief Justice ka halaf utha liya hai. Yeh is liye hua kyunke Chief Justice Yahya Afridi UK ke private daure par bahar hain. Iska aam logon par foran asar wazeh nahi kiya gaya. Mazeed tafseelat ke liye Supreme Court ke official update ka intezar karein.
