KARACHI, Nov 3: Two of the three additional judges of the Sindh High Court inducted on Nov 4, 2007, ceased to hold office on Monday as they were neither confirmed nor given extension.

Justice Dr Rana Mohammad Shamim and Justice Khwaja Naveed Ahmed stood relieved on the expiry of their one-year terms.

The term of Justice Khalid Ali Z. Qazi was extended for six months with effect from Nov 4, 2008, according to a notification issued by the federal law and justice ministry on Monday evening.

The sanctioned strength of the SHC has been enhanced to 40 and the exit of the two additional judges has raised the number of vacancies 16.