As ad hoc judges, Justices Tariq Masood and Mazhar Alam swear an oath.

Amid the presence of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, law enforcement officials, attorneys, and court personnel, Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath.

Previously, both judges were members of Pakistan’s Supreme Court. According to Article 182 of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s Constitution, they are appointed.

The appointment of two retired Supreme Court judges as ad hoc judges of the highest court for a one-year term was authorised by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) last week, in spite of hard criticism.

With Pakistan’s Chief Justice, Qazi Faez Isa, in attendance, a JCP meeting was convened to discuss the nominations of both retired judges.

JCP confirmed Justice (retired) Sardar Tariq Masood’s candidacy to the position of ad hoc judge of the supreme court by a majority vote of 8 to 1. A majority of six votes to three supported Justice (retired) Mazhar Alam Miankhel’s nomination.

In addition to these two former judges, Justice (retd) Mushir Alam and Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar were also being considered for the ad hoc position prior to their rejection of the offer.

Justice Baqar, who held the position of chief minister of Sindh under the last caretaker administration, departed on April 4, 2022; Justice Miankhel on July 13, 2022; and Justice Masood on March 10, 2024, were the four Supreme Court judges who retired. Justice Alam left the court on August 21, 2021.