Punjab Governor Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman has administered an oath to Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan as the new Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The new LHC chief justice appeared at the Governor House in Lahore for his swearing-in ceremony, where he was welcomed by the Punjab governor, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.
The event was attended by Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, Justice Aalia Neelum, Justice Shahid Karim, Justice Shahid Bilal, Justice Farooq Haider, Justice Shehbaz Rizvi, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, Deputy Attorney General Rafaqat Dogar, and senior lawyers.
Justice Malik takes over as chief justice from Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti, who retired on March 7.
Former Chief Justice Bhatti served the court for 13 years, including two years and eight months as chief justice.
The newly appointed chief justice will retire in one year, on March 14, 2025, when he will be 62. Following Chief Justice Malik's retirement, senior Justice Shujaat Ali Khan will take over as LHC chief justice.
Justice Malik previously served as the acting LHC chief justice for a brief period after being appointed on May 2, 2022, as his predecessor, then-LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti, traveled abroad.
Justice Malik was born in Pindi Gheb, Attock district, on March 15, 1963.