In a landmark moment for Pakistan’s judicial system, Justice Aminuddin Khan was sworn in as the first chief justice of the Federal Constitutional Court on Friday.
The ceremony, held in Islamabad, marked the formal beginning of the newly established court’s leadership.
President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath of office to Justice Aminuddin Khan in a solemn ceremony attended by senior officials. Among those present were Field Marshal Asim Munir, federal ministers, and other dignitaries.
The president and prime minister congratulated Justice Aminuddin Khan on becoming the chief justice of the Federal Constitutional Court. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also extended his congratulations to the newly appointed CJ. Civil and military leaders who attended the oath-taking ceremony likewise conveyed their best wishes.
According to sources, Justice Aminuddin Khan will sit in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where he will occupy Courtroom No 1. Meanwhile, IHC Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar will be moved to Courtroom No 2, the sources added.
Balochistan Bar Council reacts to resignations
Meanwhile, the Balochistan Bar Council welcomed the recent resignations of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah. The council’s response reflects ongoing discussions and developments within the country’s legal and judicial community.
On Thursday night, President Zardari appointed Justice Khan as the first CJ of the Federal Constitutional Court.
According to an official notification on Saturday, President Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointment on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Justice Aminuddin Khan, who previously led the Supreme Court’s constitutional bench, will now head the newly created Federal Constitutional Court.
The Federal Constitutional Court was established under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, passed by both Houses of parliament to redefine the jurisdiction of constitutional cases and separate them from the Supreme Court’s regular workload.
Senior judges resign
The amendment has sparked major controversy within the judiciary. Senior Supreme Court judges, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, have resigned in protest, describing the new arrangement as a “blow to the Constitution.”
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in his resignation addressed to the president, stated that the 27th Amendment “has distanced justice from the common man and made the judiciary subordinate to the government.”
He added that the amendment undermines judicial independence and included verses by poet Ahmed Faraz in his letter to express his dismay.
Justice Athar Minallah, the second judge to step down, termed the amendment a “death of the Constitution.” He wrote that he could not remain silent when “the Constitution is now just a shadow” and asserted that continuing to serve under these conditions would violate his oath.
