LAHORE: Justice Ali Baqar Najafi on Thursday took oath as acting chief justice of the Lahore High Court.

Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh administered the oath to Justice Najafi at a ceremony held at the judges’ lounge.

Senior judges, including Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza, Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, Justice Faisal Zaman Khan, Justice Masud Abid Naqvi, Justice Shahid Karim, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, Justice Muhammad Waheed Khan, Justice Asim Hafeez, Justice Muhammad Tariq Nadeem, Justice Abid Hussain Chattha, Justice Anwaar Hussain and Justice Ali Zia Bajwa attended the oath proceedings conducted by Registrar Abher Gul Khan.

After taking oath of office, acting Chief Justice Najafi was congratulated by the judges, lawyers, and other dignitaries present on the occasion.

Justice Najafi refused to receive the guard of honor, a traditional ceremony held for the chief justice. He also opted out of the protocol usually extended to the chief justice.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has left for a private foreign visit and in her absence, Justice Najafi will perform the duties of the acting chief justice. — Staff Reporter