Taking oath as Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan on Friday Justice Umar Ata Bandial pledged to protect and defend the Constitution saying he will do right to all manner of people according to law without fear and favour.
The president has appointed Justice Umar Ata Bandial, senior judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, as acting chief justice of Pakistan as the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed has left for the United States on a private visit. Justice Umer Ata Bandial, senior most judge of the Supreme Court, will act as chief justice of Pakistan during the period CJP Gulzar Ahmed remains abroad.
Justice Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath in a simple but dignified ceremony in the Supreme Court, principal seat at Islamabad. Justice Umar Ata Bandial will act as Chief Justice of Pakistan during the period, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Chief Justice of Pakistan remains abroad.
Judges of the top court, senior lawyers, law officers and officers of Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan attended the oath taking ceremony. Registrar Supreme Court of Pakistan conducted the proceedings of oath taking ceremony whereas officers and staff of the Supreme Court of Pakistan were also present on the occasion.
The SC registrar conducted the proceedings of the oath-taking ceremony. The officers and staff of the apex court were also present on the occasion.
It is pertinent to mention that Acting Chief Justice Bandial was heading a 10-member larger bench while hearing Justice Isa’s constitution petition against presidential reference regarding his removal. The reference was quashed as mala fide on June 19 as it sought Justice Isa’s removal in view of his failure to mention his family members’ London properties in his wealth statement.
