ISLAMABAD: Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi was sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court on Monday to complete the sanctioned strength of 17 judges in the apex court.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed administered the oath of office to Justice Naqvi in a simple and dignified ceremony held at the ceremonial hall of the Supreme Court.

Justice Naqvi’s appointment will fill the coveted office of the Supreme Court judge that fell vacant after the retirement of former chief justice Asif Saeed Khosa.

Justice Naqvi was earlier recommended to be appointed as judge of the apex court by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan in its meeting on March 4, which was presided over by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

Later, the eight-member bi-partisan Parliamentary Committee on the appointment of judges approved unanimously on March 12 the elevation of Justice Naqvi — then a senior judge of the Lahore High Court (LHC).

The oath-taking ceremony was also attended besides judges by Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan, senior lawyers, law officers and officers of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan. Supreme Court Registrar Khawaja Daud Ahmed conducted the proceedings of the oath-taking ceremony.

Justice Naqvi, who is a member of reputed Syed family of Gujranwala, was elevated to the LHC on Feb 19, 2010.

Earlier, Justice Naqvi had been a practicing advocate at the Supreme Court and at the high courts.

His area of practice and consultancy covered criminal law, anti-terrorism law, constitutional law, arbitration (Alternative Dispute Resolution), property law, land acquisition, land revenue, family law, customs, excise, income tax, insurance, finance, intellectual property and public interest litigation, energy, social sector development, empowerment of the civil society, legal education and reform, transparency, devolution, legal, judicial reforms, etc.

The focus of his legal practice has been pro-poor and pro-development. Besides a complete professional, Justice Naqvi has vast interest in sports and has been a regular member of the cricket team right from schooling up to the university level.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2020