Justice Munib Akhtar, the Senior Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, took oath as acting chief justice on Thursday, October 15, in Islamabad. He will act as Chief Justice of Pakistan while Justice Yahya Afridi, the Chief Justice, is abroad on a private visit to the United Kingdom.
A senior puisne judge is the most senior judge after the chief justice. An acting chief justice performs the chief justice's duties for a limited period, while the substantive post holder is away.
Ceremony at the Supreme Court
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail administered the oath in what the sources describe as a simple and dignified ceremony held at the Supreme Court. 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. The Registrar of the Supreme Court conducted the proceedings, and officers and staff of the court were also present.
Why the acting arrangement is needed
The sources give one reason for the arrangement: Justice Yahya Afridi's private trip to the United Kingdom. They do not say how long he will be abroad or when he will return, and they do not describe any other change to the court's work. Because the chief justice leads the Supreme Court, the acting arrangement keeps its leadership in place during his absence.
Any further steps on the court's administration or case handling were not covered in the sources, so readers should look for official notices from the Supreme Court.
