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Pakistan’s New Constitutional Court Asserts Role as High Courts Take Up 27th Amendment Challenges

High-court challenges now put the amendment’s effect on judicial independence to an early test.

Overview

  • The Federal Constitutional Court has begun operations using the Supreme Court Rules 2025 on an interim basis, with hearings by at least two judges and reviews by no fewer than three.
  • Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan issued his first message pledging transparency and a focus on safeguarding fundamental rights as the court interprets the Constitution.
  • The Sindh High Court issued notices on petitions contesting the amendment, and the Lahore High Court formed a three-judge bench to hear multiple challenges.
  • Four Islamabad High Court judges prepared a draft petition against the amendment; court officials and the law minister indicated the matter belongs before the FCC rather than the Supreme Court.
  • Operational strains persist over the FCC’s use of Islamabad High Court premises, and reconstituted Judicial Commission meetings on December 2 will be an early test of new appointment procedures.