Islamabad (GNP): Justice Munib Akhtar, Acting Chief Justice in 2026, was formalized on Monday as Senior Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Justice Munib Akhtar took the oath as the Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan during the absence of the Chief Justice, Yahya Afridi, who is currently abroad. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Supreme Court Branch Registry in Karachi in a simple and dignified manner, reflecting the solemnity and constitutional importance of the occasion.
The oath was administered by the Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, and the ceremony was conducted by the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The event was attended by judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, judges of the Federal Constitutional Court, senior judicial officers, court officials, and members of the Supreme Court staff, all of whom gathered to mark this important moment in the country’s judicial administration.
Justice Munib Akhtar Acting Chief Justice 2026 appointment is in line with established constitutional and judicial practice in Pakistan. As the senior most judge of the apex court after the Chief Justice, Justice Munib Akhtar has assumed the responsibilities of the office for the duration of Chief Justice Yahya Afridi’s visit abroad.
This arrangement ensures the uninterrupted functioning of the country’s highest judicial institution and maintains the continuity of judicial proceedings at the Supreme Court level.
Justice Munib Akhtar is one of the most respected and distinguished jurists in Pakistan’s legal history. He has served on the Supreme Court with great distinction and is widely admired within the legal community for the clarity, depth, and intellectual rigour of his judgments.
Over the course of his career, he has contributed significantly to the development of constitutional jurisprudence in Pakistan, and his appointment as Acting Chief Justice has been welcomed by members of the legal fraternity who regard him as a judge of the highest integrity and calibre.
The role of the Chief Justice of Pakistan is one of the most important constitutional positions in the country, carrying with it the enormous responsibility of leading the Supreme Court, overseeing the administration of justice at the highest level, and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld across the entire judicial system.
During his tenure as the Justice Munib Akhtar Acting Chief Justice 2026, he will be expected to preside over hearings, manage the court’s administrative functions, and ensure that justice continues to be delivered efficiently and impartially to all citizens who seek it.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan plays a central role in the country’s constitutional framework, serving as the final court of appeal and the guardian of the Constitution. Its decisions on matters of constitutional interpretation, fundamental rights, and the limits of state power have a profound impact on the lives of Pakistani citizens and on the functioning of democratic institutions across the country.
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Having a judge of Justice Munib Akhtar’s experience and reputation at the helm, even in an acting capacity, provides reassurance to both the legal community and the wider public that the court’s affairs will be managed with the highest level of professionalism and commitment to judicial values.
The ceremony in Karachi was brief but carried significant constitutional weight, as it marked the formal transfer of responsibilities at the head of Pakistan’s apex judicial institution. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi is expected to return from abroad in due course, at which point he will resume his duties as the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Justice Munib Akhtar will return to his role as the Senior Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court.
