ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s judicial structure has undergone significant changes following the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. Authorities have reconstituted several important constitutional and statutory bodies to align them with the revised framework. The amendment introduced new rules that required adjustments in the composition of these high-level judicial forums.
The Supreme Court confirmed these developments in an official press release issued on Tuesday. The statement said that the Supreme Judicial Council and the Practice and Procedure Committee had been restructured under the new constitutional arrangement. It added that the Judicial Commission of Pakistan had also received new members through fresh nominations.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, now the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, has joined the Supreme Judicial Council. Officials stated that Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi and Federal Constitutional Court Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan jointly nominated him. The SJC handles judicial accountability and examines allegations of misconduct against superior court judges.
Practice and Procedure Committee Also Reorganized
The press release further noted that Justice Mandokhail had been added to the Practice and Procedure Committee. This committee forms benches and fixes cases under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023. Consequently, the three-member committee will now include the Chief Justice, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Mandokhail. His elevation follows the resignation of Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who previously held the senior position.
Officials said the Supreme Judicial Council will now include the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the FCC chief justice, Justice Akhtar, FCC’s Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, and Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar. The 27th Amendment states that the SJC will be headed by the senior-most judge between the CJP and FCC chief justice. Because of appointment dates, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi will continue to lead the body.
Judicial Commission Receives New Nomination
Meanwhile, Justice Aamer Farooq of the Federal Constitutional Court has been nominated to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. He is the second-most senior judge of the FCC. Both chief justices jointly approved his induction into the commission. The JCP appoints judges to the superior judiciary and plays a major role in judicial oversight.
After the latest changes, the JCP will include the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the FCC chief justice, Justice Akhtar, Justice Rizvi, Justice Aamer Farooq, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Pakistan Bar Council representative Ahsan Bhoon, two National Assembly members, two Senate members, and a woman or non-Muslim nominated by the National Assembly speaker.
Restructuring Follows Controversial Amendment
The restructuring follows intense debate over the 27th Amendment. Critics argue that the creation of the Federal Constitutional Court reduces the authority of the Supreme Court. Several judges and lawyers have warned that the amendment could disrupt the traditional judicial hierarchy. Two senior Supreme Court judges resigned hours after the amendment’s enactment. Justices Athar Minallah and Mansoor Ali Shah cited strong reservations about the new structure.
Officials maintain that the reconstituted bodies will support accountability, improve transparency, and strengthen judicial procedures under the revised constitutional order.
