Islamabad – Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the most senior judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, took oath on Monday as the Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Supreme Court, where Justice Munib Akhtar administered the oath to Justice Mansoor Ali Shah. The event was attended by Supreme Court judges, the Attorney General, law officers, and members of the legal community.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will serve as the Acting Chief Justice in the absence of Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, who is set to undertake an official visit to China from April 22 to April 26. During this time, Justice Shah will carry out the responsibilities of the Chief Justice.
According to a press release issued by the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi will represent Pakistan at the Conference of Chief Justices of SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) member countries. He will be accompanied by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Shahid Waheed, District and Sessions Judge Gwadar Zafar Jan, and Senior Civil Judge of Lakki Marwat Nadia Gul Wazir.
During the visit, it is expected that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Supreme Court of China. Chief Justice Afridi is also scheduled to meet with his Iranian counterpart on the sidelines of the conference. Meanwhile, Justice Shahid Waheed will address a special session on the use of artificial intelligence in the judiciary.
Following the conference in China, Chief Justice Afridi will travel to Türkiye to attend the 63rd anniversary celebrations of the Constitutional Court of Türkiye.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will serve as Acting Chief Justice until Chief Justice Yahya Afridi returns to Pakistan.
