The Federal Constitutional Court formally began its work on Monday after two judges took oath and new benches were constituted at the Islamabad High Court, where the court has recently been relocated.
Justice Rozi Khan and Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah of the Federal Constitutional Court took oath during a ceremony held at the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The oath was administered by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan.
Judges and non-officers of the Federal Constitutional Court attended the ceremony, reflecting the court’s transition to full operational status. Among the judges in attendance were Justice Hassan Rizvi and Justice Aamir Farooq from Islamabad.
Justice Ali Baqir Najafi and Justice KK Agha also participated in the ceremony, alongside IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Arbab Tahir. Other attendees included Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, Justice Inam Amin Minhas, and Justice Azam Khan.
Later, the Federal Constitutional Court began regular hearings of cases.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin, started presiding over the proceedings. Justice Ali Baqir Najafi and Justice Arshad Hussain Shah served as members of Bench One of the Constitutional Court.
However, the parties to the first case failed to appear in court.
Courtroom arrangements
The official board of the Federal Constitutional Court has been installed in Courtroom No 2 of the Islamabad High Court. The court is expected to begin hearings shortly after completing its relocation.
The process of shifting courtrooms is currently underway following the court’s move into the IHC building. Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar will preside over hearings in Constitutional Court One.
Constitutional Court Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan will sit in Court Two, which is being shifted to the courtrooms of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Miangul Aurangzeb. Justices Aamir Farooq and Hassan Azhar Rizvi of the Constitutional Court will sit on the third floor.
Courtrooms of IHC judges Justice Muhammad Asif and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro will be located on the second floor. Due to the relocation process, the cause lists of both judges have been cancelled for today.
Formation of three benches to begin hearings
Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan has constituted three benches to begin the Federal Constitutional Court’s proceedings.
- Bench 1: Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan
- Bench 2: Justice Ali Baqir Najafi and Justice Arshad Hussain
- Bench 3: Justice Hassan Rizvi, Justice KK Agha, Justice Aamir Farooq, and Justice Rozi Khan
The Federal Constitutional Court is scheduled to begin hearing cases from today, marking its first official day of operations at its new location.
Due to the ongoing transfer of courtrooms and administrative adjustments, today’s cause lists for the courts of Justice Muhammad Asif and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro have been cancelled.
On Nov 14, 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 same day, three newly appointed judges were sworn in to the court during an official ceremony held at the Islamabad High Court. Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi took the oath as judges of the Federal Constitutional Court.
The oath was administered by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan. The ceremony brought together senior judges, legal officers and representatives of the bar.
A day later, another judge of the Federal Constitutional Court, Justice KK Agha, officially took oath. The oath was administered by Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Justice Aminuddin Khan at the Islamabad High Court.
The oath-taking ceremony was attended by prominent members of the judiciary, including Justice Aamir Farooq, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Ali Baqir Najafi. Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar and several other judges were also present.
