ISLAMABAD: Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan on Monday took oath as acting Chief Justice of Pakistan in a ceremony held at the Supreme Court building.

The oath was administered by Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk.

Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan will act as Chief Justice of Pakistan during the absence of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who is travelling abroad to receive the International Jurists Award, 2012, conferred on him by the International Council of Jurists for his contribution in the field of administration of justice.

The ceremony was attended by the judges of the Supreme Court, members and officers of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Deputy Attorney General, senior lawyers, officers of the Law & Justice Commission of Pakistan and the Federal Judicial Academy.

Justice Shakirullah Jan was nominated as acting Chief Election Commissioner by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on March 22, 2012. He took over the position from Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza.