ISLAMABAD, Sept 6: The president on Friday appointed chief justice of Lahore High Court, Justice Falak Sher, as judge of the Supreme Court, and Justice Karamat Nazir Bhandari, as ad-hoc judge of the apex court.

Justice Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry, judge LHC, has been appointed as new chief justice of the provincial high court, bypassing Justice Mrs Fakar-un-Nisa Khokhar, who had “legitimate expectancy” according to seniority list.

With the appointment of Justice Falak Sher as SC judge, the sanctioned strength of seventeen judges, including the chief Justice, has been completed.

Justice Karamat Nazir Bhandari has been appointed as ad-hoc judge of the Supreme Court. His substantive post, however, will remain as judge of the LHC. Justice Falak Sher will reach the age of superannuation on Sept 21, 2008.