SHC Justice KK Agha is expected to take oath today, with discussions centering on increasing bench strength to 13
President Asif Ali Zardari signs the documents after swearing in Justice Aminuddin Khan as the first Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court of Aiwan-e-Sadr. Photo: INP
ISLAMABAD:
Soon after the Senate passed four bills related to the recently approved 27th constitutional amendment with a majority vote on Friday, the government moved quickly to begin shaping the new judicial framework.
Justice Aminuddin Khan was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court.
President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath of office to the new FCC Chief Justice at a ceremony in Aiwan-e-Sadr.
In related news, the President accepted the resignations of Supreme Court judges – Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah. This was announced in a message posted on the president’s official X account.
Both justices hung up their robes Thursday, calling the legislation an affront to the justice system and the 1973 Constitution.
The swearing-in ceremony of the first Chief Justice of the FCC began with the recitation of the Holy Quran.
In his oath, Justice Aminuddin pledged to discharge his duties in accordance with the Constitution and the law, while adhering to the code of conduct issued by the Supreme Judicial Council.
“I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions. That I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and that in all circumstances I will do what is right to all kinds of people in accordance with the law, without fear or favor, affection or ill will,” he said in his oath, after which he shook hands with the President.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Justice Yahaya Afridi. Senate President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, federal ministers, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, CJCSC General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari were also present, besides parliamentarians and notables from the legal fraternity.
His appointment was made by the President under clause 3 of Article 175A, read with Article 175C, of the Constitution.
At the same time, the president also appointed six judges to the FCC. A notification issued by the Ministry of Justice said the President made the appointments under clause 3 of Article 175-A, read with Article 175-C of the Constitution.
Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi of the Supreme Court, Justice KK Agha of the Sindh High Court and Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court Rozi Khan Barrech have been appointed to the FCC.
Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah was also appointed. He was appointed because Justice Musarrat Hilali was not willing to join the FCC.
Justice Karim Khan Agha of the Sindh High Court is expected to take oath today, completing the seven-member bench.
The initial strength of the FCC was determined by presidential decree, while any future increase in the number of judges will require parliamentary approval through an Act of Parliament.
Among the judges appointed to the FCC, Justices Rizvi, Farooq and Najafi were sworn in by Justice Aminuddin of the Islamabad High Court.
Sources said the government has decided to increase the number of FCCs to 13.
