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Pakistan’s New Constitutional Court Adopts Interim Rules as Premises Dispute Engulfs Islamabad High Court

The step marks a rapid rollout under the 27th Amendment, with critics warning of weakened judicial independence.

Overview

  • The Federal Constitutional Court approved use of the Supreme Court Rules 2025 after a Nov. 17 full court meeting, setting two-judge benches for hearings and three-judge panels for reviews.
  • The court notified the attorney general and provincial advocates general of the interim framework, and advocates entitled to appear before the Supreme Court may appear before the new court on a provisional basis.
  • Operations have begun inside the Islamabad High Court building following resistance to relocation by Federal Shariat Court judges, prompting courtroom reallocations, office displacements, and some oath-taking boycotts.
  • The Islamabad High Court will remain at its Constitution Avenue premises for now, according to the IHC bar president and the IHC chief justice, as senior legal officials hold meetings to ease tensions.
  • The 27th Amendment shifted constitutional jurisdiction to the FCC, altered judicial appointments and tenure, and created new military protections, drawing protests including two Supreme Court resignations and a tense but inconclusive meeting of over a dozen justices.