MUZAFFARABAD, June 11 Justice Khwaja Shahad Ahmed was sworn in as chief justice of the AJK Supreme Court on Friday, a day after he was appointed by AJK President Raja Zulqarnain Khan on the advice of AJK Council Chairman Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The president administered oath to Justice Ahmed at a ceremony held in the Kashmir House. It was attended by Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider, ministers, government officials and members of the court and the bar.

Justice Ahmed was appointed as a permanent judge of the apex court in January 2007. He will retire in May 2011.

According to the AJK Interim Constitution Act 1974, the Supreme Court comprises three judges, including the chief justice.

However, at present there is only one permanent and one ad hoc judge.

The High Court is also short of four judges out of the total strength of five.

Two judges were sacked by High Court Chief Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal in April this year.