ISLAMABAD: Senior members of Pakistan’s legal fraternity have expressed grave concern over the federal government’s proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, describing it as the most serious threat to the Supreme Court’s independence since its establishment in 1956.
According to a report published by Geo News, the letter was authored by Advocate Faisal Siddiqui and endorsed by former Supreme Court judge Justice (retired) Mushir Alam and former Sindh High Court judge Justice (retired) Nadeem Akhtar. The document conveys deep regret and alarm at the amendment’s implications.
The signatories include prominent lawyers such as Muneer A Malik, Anwar Mansoor Khan, Muhammad Akram Sheikh, Ali Ahmad Kurd, Abid S Zuberi, Khawaja Ahmad Hosain, Salahuddin Ahmed, and Shabnam Nawaz Awan. They argue that the amendment would reduce the Supreme Court’s constitutional powers by transferring key authorities to a newly proposed Federal Constitutional Court.
Under the draft, the Federal Constitutional Court would have equal representation from all provinces, while its chief justice would serve a limited three‑year term. The retired judges and lawyers believe these measures amount to a radical restructuring of Pakistan’s appellate system, comparable only to the sweeping judicial changes introduced under the Government of India Act of 1935.
They emphasized that no civilian or military government in Pakistan’s history has ever attempted to downgrade the Supreme Court to a subordinate institution. The letter warns that the amendment, if passed, would undermine judicial independence and erode constitutional safeguards.
The group urged Chief Justice Afridi to convene a full court meeting to deliberate on the amendment and formulate a collective response. They stressed that the Supreme Court has the constitutional right to provide input on any changes that directly affect its structure and jurisdiction.