PESHAWAR: The newly-appointed additional judge of the Peshawar High Court, Justice Mohammad Ayub Khan, took oath of office here on Tuesday. PHC Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel administered the oath to him at a ceremony.

Justice Ayub’s appointment as additional judge of the high court was made by the President of Pakistan on the recommendation of the judicial commission and the parliamentary committee on appointment of judges.

With the appointment of Justice Ayub the number of judges in the high court has risen to 16, still four short of the sanctioned strength of 20 judges.

The judicial commission had also recently recommended the elevation of Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel to the Supreme Court. It also recommended the appointment of senior puisne judge of the high court, Justice Yahya Afridi, as PHC’s Chief Justice after elevation of the present incumbent to the SC.

The oath-taking ceremony was attended by judges of the high court, members of the subordinate judiciary, officials of attorney general and advocate general offices, members of PHC Bar Association and KP Bar Council.

Before his elevation, Justice Ayub was serving as judge of accountability court in Peshawar. He also served as district and sessions judge and remained posted in different stations. Justice Ayub also served as registrar of the PHC.

In his stint in the subordinate judiciary, he enjoyed respect among the legal fraternity.

Published in Dawn December 21st, 2016