Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 — Article 181

181. Acting Judges..—(1) At any time when

(a)the office of a Judge of the Supreme Court is vacant; or

(b)a Judge of the Supreme Court is absent or is unable to perform the functions of his office due to any other cause, the President may, in the manner provided in clause (1) of Article 177, appoint a Judge of a High Court who is qualified for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court to act temporarily as a Judge of the Supreme Court. [Explanation.__ In this clause, ‘Judge of a High Court’ includes a person who has retired as a 3 Judge of a High Court.]

(2)An appointment under this Article shall continue in force until it is revoked by the President. 182. Appointment of ad-hoc Judges. If at any time it is not possible for want of quorum of Judges of the Supreme Court to hold or continue any sitting of the Court, or for any other reason it is necessary to increase temporarily the number of Judges of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of 1 [Supreme Court] 4[, in Consultation with the Judicial Commission as provided in clause (2) of Article 175A,] may, in writing,

(a)with the approval of the President, request any person who has held the office of a Judge of that Court and since whose ceasing to hold that office three years have not elapsed; or

(b)with the approval of the President and with the consent of the Chief Justice of a High Court, require a Judge of that Court qualified for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court, 1 Subs. by the Constitution (Twenty-seventh Amendment) Act, 2025 (Act No. XXXII of 2025), ss. 25-27. 2 Subs. by the Revival of the Constitution of 1973 Order, 1985 (P. O. No. 14 of 1985). Art. 2 and Sch. 3 Added by the Constitution (Amendment) Order, 1982 (P. O. No. 2 of 1982), Art. 2. 4 Inserted by the Constitution (Nineteenth Amendment) Act, 2011 (Act No. I of 2011), s. 5. to attend sittings of the Supreme Court as an ad hoc Judge for such period as may be necessary and while so attending an ad hoc Judge shall have the same power and jurisdiction as a Judge of the Supreme Court.