ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The three high court judges elevated to the Supreme Court took oath here in a simple ceremony on Tuesday.
Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa administered oath to Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan, Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi.
Earlier, the Ministry of Law and Justice officially announced the elevation of three high court judges to the Supreme Court, following President Asif Ali Zardari's approval on Monday.
It may be recalled that Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan has been serving as the chief justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi of the Sindh High Court (SHC).
The appointments were sanctioned by the president under Article 177 of the Constitution.
With Chief Justice Malik Shahzad’s elevation from the LHC, President Zardari appointed Justice Shujaat Ali Khan as acting chief justice in accordance with Article 196. Justice Shujaat will serve in this capacity until a permanent appointment is made, as per the notification from the law ministry.
Earlier this month, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), chaired by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, recommended the elevation of these high court judges to the Supreme Court.
Currently, the Supreme Court has 14 serving judges, below its constitutional strength of 17. The three vacancies arose following the retirement of Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial and the resignations of Justices Ijazul Ahsan and Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi.