Supreme Court Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah on Thursday submitted their resignations to President Asif Ali Zardari, marking a significant development in Pakistan’s judiciary amid sweeping changes introduced by the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
The resignations come ahead of Justice Aminuddin Khan’s scheduled oath-taking as Chief Justice of the newly established Federal Constitutional Court.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah tendered a detailed 13-page resignation, sharply criticizing the amendment for delivering a “severe blow” to the Supreme Court and undermining the Constitution. He argued that the changes had distanced justice from ordinary citizens and made the judiciary subordinate to the government.
Shah’s resignation also included poems by celebrated Urdu poet Ahmed Faraz, reflecting his profound disappointment and sense of loss. He noted that the division of the highest court and the erosion of judicial independence had set the nation back decades, leaving lasting scars on the legal system.
Justice Athar Minallah’s resignation echoed similar concerns. He asserted that the Constitution he had sworn to protect no longer existed in its original form due to the 27th Amendment.
Reflecting on his 11-year judicial career—from his tenure at the Islamabad High Court to Chief Justice of the IHC and finally Supreme Court judge—Minallah emphasized that his commitment was always to uphold the original Constitution.
He described judicial robes as symbols of trust that too often represented silence and expediency in history and expressed hope that future generations would see the judiciary as a mark of honesty rather than compromise.
Preparations are underway for Justice Aminuddin Khan to take oath as Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court at the Presidential Palace. The ceremony is expected to include prominent officials such as the Prime Minister, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairman Senate, and federal ministers.
As the head of the newly established court, Justice Aminuddin Khan is anticipated to play a central role in implementing judicial reforms under the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The resignations of Justices Shah and Minallah underscore the deep divisions and concerns within the judiciary regarding the recent constitutional changes.
