The Federal Constitutional Court took another major step toward becoming fully operational as three newly appointed judges were sworn in during an official ceremony held at the Islamabad High Court on Friday.

Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi took the oath as judges of the Federal Constitutional Court. The oath was administered by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan, who himself took office earlier this week as the first chief justice of the court.

The ceremony brought together senior judges, legal officers and representatives of the bar.

Judges and legal community attend ceremony

Several prominent members of the judiciary attended the oath-taking ceremony, including:

Islamabad High Court Justice Arbab Tahir
Justice Khadim Soomro
Justice Muhammad Azam Khan
Justice Muhammad Asif
Justice Inam Amin Minhas

Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Punjab Advocate General Amjad Pervez, and various law officers were also present.
Leaders of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, including President Wajid Gilani and Secretary Manzoor Jajja, participated in the event.

Also Read: Justice Musarrat Hilali declines Constitutional Court position

However, five judges of the Islamabad High Court did not attend the oath-taking ceremony, including Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri, Justice Babar Sattar, Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq, and Justice Saman Riffat.

Notification issued for six Constitutional Court judges

A formal notification was earlier issued for the appointment of six judges to the Federal Constitutional Court. Besides the three sworn in today, the newly notified judges include:

Justice Karim Khan Agha
Justice Rozi Khan
Arshad Hussain from the Peshawar High Court

Earlier on Friday, in a landmark moment for Pakistan’s judicial system, Justice Aminuddin Khan was sworn in as the first chief justice of the Federal Constitutional Court. The ceremony, held in Islamabad, marked the formal beginning of the newly established court’s leadership.

President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath of office to Justice Aminuddin Khan in a solemn ceremony attended by senior officials. Among those present were Field Marshal Asim Munir, federal ministers, and other dignitaries.

Also Read: Justice Aminuddin takes oath as first chief justice of Federal Constitutional Court

The president and prime minister congratulated Justice Aminuddin Khan on becoming the chief justice of the Federal Constitutional Court. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also extended his congratulations to the newly appointed CJ. Civil and military leaders who attended the oath-taking ceremony likewise conveyed their best wishes.

According to sources, Justice Aminuddin Khan will sit in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where he will occupy Courtroom No 1. IHC Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar will be moved to Courtroom No 2, the sources added.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's Justice Musarrat Hilali has declined the offer to become a judge of the Constitutional Court. According to sources, Justice Hilali turned down the position due to health-related concerns.