Justice Mansoor Ali Shah urged the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to halt the constitutional bench’s term extension until the 26th Amendment case is resolved.
In a letter to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) members before their meeting on June 19, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, the senior puisne judge of the Supreme Court, expressed concerns about extending the term of the constitutional bench while the 26th Amendment case is ongoing. He cautioned that doing so would further deepen the judiciary’s institutional crisis and undermine public trust. Although absent at the meeting, he criticised its continuation, highlighting the JCP’s lack of judicial representation. Justice Shah suggested that all Supreme Court judges be included on the bench, with transparent nomination criteria.
Justice Shah, who took oath as acting Chief Justice on June 6, 2025, during Chief Justice Yahya Afridi’s absence for Hajj, emphasised procedural fairness. His earlier stint as acting Chief Justice followed Justice Munib Akhtar’s tenure, reflecting the judiciary’s rotational leadership.
Read: Pakistan Supreme Court Reinstates Army Act, Nullifies 2023 Verdict
Shah’s opposition highlights concerns over judicial independence. Social media users praise his call for transparency but speculate on unverified political motives. According to Pakistan Today, the 26th Amendment’s resolution is pivotal for Pakistan’s judicial stability.
