Acting Chief Justice
President Dr. Arif Alvi appointed Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, as the acting Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan on Friday, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Justice Masood is set to fulfill the duties of acting chief justice during the period when Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, will be abroad for a foreign tour during the upcoming winter vacations. CJP Isa is expected to be out of the country for two weeks. The appointment is in accordance with the powers conferred by Article 180 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as mentioned in the official notification.
This temporary designation of an acting CJ is a standard practice to ensure the smooth functioning of the judiciary in the absence of the CJ. It allows for the continuous operation of legal proceedings and administrative matters within the Supreme Court.
Justice Sardar Tariq Masood, being the senior-most judge after the chief justice, is entrusted with the responsibilities to preside over the court and carry out essential functions during this period. This ensures the uninterrupted functioning of the highest court and maintains the judicial workflow.
As acting chief justice, Justice Masood will oversee the court’s proceedings, hear cases, and perform other judicial and administrative functions until the return of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
This appointment reflects the institutional continuity and adherence to established legal procedures, ensuring that the Supreme Court operates effectively even when the chief justice is temporarily unavailable.
