Islamabad, Nov 28 (IANS) 

Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has approved the appointment of Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani as the country's new chief justice, under Article 175 Section 3 of the Constitution, Geo News reported Wednesday.

The president approved the appointment after receiving the recommendation from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The law ministry issued a notification of Justice Jillani's appointment.

As Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will retire Dec 11, the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, will be appointed as the chief justice. The ceremony will be held Dec 12 at 9.00 a.m. at the Presidency.

Justice Jillani is serving as the acting Chief Election Commissioner.

Earlier in the day, Lt Gen. Raheel Sharif was appointed Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) while Lt. Gen. Rashad Mahmood as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) on prime minister's recommendation.

President Mamnoon Hussain endorsed Sharif's recommendations. Both Lt. Generals will be promoted to General rank Nov 28.