ISLAMABAD: Justice Mansoor Ali Shah will take oath as the Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan on April 21, 2025, during the absence of Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, who is set to embark on an official visit abroad.
The oath-taking ceremony will be held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan and will be administered by Justice Munib Akhtar. Justice Shah will assume the role temporarily while Chief Justice Afridi attends the 20th Conference of Chief Justices of Supreme Courts of SCO Member States in Hangzhou, China, from April 22 to April 26.
During the visit, a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Supreme People’s Court of China. The agreement aims to deepen judicial cooperation between the two nations through enhanced collaboration, legal training, and the exchange of information.
According to a Supreme Court spokesperson, the MoU will focus on key areas including international commercial law, arbitration, cybercrime, financial crimes, climate change, judicial technology, and dispute resolution. It will also strengthen legal assistance in civil matters and bolster the enforcement of judicial rulings.
Both Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to upholding judicial independence and the rule of law.
The oath-taking ceremony will be attended by senior members of the legal fraternity, Supreme Court judges, and court staff, marking a significant moment in Pakistan’s judicial transition during Chief Justice Afridi’s overseas engagement.
In a separate development, the Supreme Court has launched a dedicated Anti-Corruption Hotline (0326-4442444) as part of its ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability. Chief Justice Afridi has emphasized his determination to uphold justice, encouraging citizens to report any attempts at bribery or manipulation within the judicial system.
He urged the public to use the hotline to report any offers of illegal assistance, stressing the judiciary’s zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and commitment to delivering swift, fair justice.
