Seven new SC judges to be sworn in today

ISLAMABAD:

In a break with tradition, the chief justice of Pakistan (CJ), Yahya Afridi, is scheduled to administer the oath today to the six newly appointed apex court judges as well as one acting judge in a ceremony to be held outside the Supreme Court building.

These judges were nominated on Monday in a Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) meeting which was boycotted by two senior SC judges as well as two members from the opposition party.

The permanent judges to take oath of office are Hashim Khan Kakar, the chief justice of the Balochistan High Court (BHC); Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, the chief justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC); Ishtiaq Ibrahim, the chief justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) and Aamer Farooq, the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

SHC Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and PHC Justice Shakeel Ahmed will also take oath as judges of the Supreme Court. The JCP on February 10 also approved the appointment of IHC’s Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb as an acting judge, who will also take oath today. In the Supreme Court premises, chairs have been arranged for the chief justice of Pakistan and the seven judges. Around 500 to 600 chairs are being set up in the courtyard of the Supreme Court.

The decision to hold the oath-taking ceremony in an open space was made considering the number of guests. Judges, their families, and colleagues will also attend the ceremony. Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari will administer the oath to IHC’s Acting Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar.