Justice Mansoor Ali Shah took oath as the Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan on Monday, as Chief Justice Yahya Afridi departed on an official visit abroad.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, where Justice Munib Akhtar administered the oath. Justice Shah will serve as Acting Chief Justice during Chief Justice Afridi’s participation in 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 historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed between the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Supreme People’s Court of China. The agreement aims to enhance judicial cooperation, including collaboration in judicial training, information exchange, and strengthening institutional ties.
The MoU will cover several key areas such as international commercial law, arbitration, cybercrime, financial crimes, climate change, judicial technology, and mechanisms for dispute resolution. It will also seek to improve legal assistance in civil matters and the enforcement of judicial decisions.
This initiative reflects the shared commitment of both countries to judicial independence and the rule of law. The oath-taking ceremony was attended by senior legal professionals and members of the Supreme Court staff, marking a significant moment for the judiciary in Pakistan during Chief Justice Afridi’s temporary absence.
