A prominent group of retired judges and senior lawyers has written an urgent letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Yahya Afridi, seeking an immediate full court meeting to address the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment.
The letter, authored by Advocate Faisal Siddiqui and endorsed by high-profile legal figures, expresses “deep sadness and regret” over the proposal. It includes support from former Supreme Court Judge Justice (retd) Mushir Alam and former Sindh High Court Judge Justice (retd) Nadeem Akhtar. The signatories have labelled it the “greatest threat” to the apex court’s authority since its establishment in 1956.
What is the Proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment?
The proposed amendment introduces sweeping changes to Pakistan’s judicial and military command structure. A central point of contention is the creation of a new Federal Constitutional Court. Several key powers of the Supreme Court would be transferred to this court.
Key proposed changes include:
- Reduction of Supreme Court Powers: Shifting specific constitutional authorities to the new Federal Constitutional Court.
- Limited Term for Chief Justice: The chief justice of the proposed new court would serve a term limited to only three years.
- Provincial Representation: The Federal Constitutional Court would be structured to ensure equal representation from all provinces.
The coalition of legal experts describes the amendment as the most radical overhaul of Pakistan’s federal appellate court system since the Government of India Act of 1935. They assert that no civilian or military government has tried to relegate the Supreme Court to a subordinate position. Throughout Pakistan’s history, they believe there is now a move to strip it of its core constitutional jurisdiction.
Read: Pakistan Senate Votes on 27th Constitutional Amendment
Among the other distinguished signatories are renowned senior lawyers, including Muneer A. Malik, Anwar Mansoor Khan, Muhammad Akram Sheikh, and Ali Ahmad Kurd, who lend considerable weight to the letter’s concerns.
The letter urges Chief Justice Afridi to convene a full court meeting without delay. The objective is to collectively discuss the implications of the proposed amendment. They aim to formulate a unified response to the federal government.
