Senior Supreme Court judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has taken the oath as the Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan, as reported by national media on Monday.
According to details, Justice Munib Akhtar administered the oath to Acting Chief Justice Mansoor Ali Shah. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Supreme Court, attended by judges, the Attorney General, senior lawyers, and judicial staff.
It is to be noted that Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi will undertake an official visit to China from April 22 to 26 along with a high-level judicial delegation. During this time, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will serve as the Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan.
According to a statement from the Supreme Court, the delegation will represent Pakistan at the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Chief Justices Conference. Accompanying the Chief Justice will be Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Shahid Waheed, District and Sessions Judge Gwadar Zafar Jan, and Senior Civil Judge Lakki Marwat Nadia Gul Wazir.
During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is also expected to be signed between the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Supreme Court of China. The Chief Justice is also scheduled to meet his Iranian counterpart on the sidelines of the conference. Justice Shahid Waheed will address a session on the use of artificial intelligence in the judiciary.
According to the statement, after the conference, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi will visit Türkiye to participate in the 63rd anniversary celebrations of the Constitutional Court. During his absence, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will continue to serve as the Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan.