Two Pakistan Supreme Court Judges Quit After Parliament Moves to Curb Judicial Powers
Pakistan’s political landscape was shaken on Thursday after two senior Supreme Court justices submitted their resignations just hours after parliament approved a series of major constitutional amendments. The changes, fast-tracked by the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, significantly reduce the judiciary’s powers while granting new authority and long-term immunity to the country’s powerful military leadership.
The judges — Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah — stepped down in protest, warning that the newly approved constitutional reforms could seriously undermine judicial independence. Their resignations came almost immediately after the National Assembly passed the controversial bill with a two-thirds majority, despite strong objections from opposition lawmakers and legal experts.
Judges Warn of “Executive Control” Over Courts
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in his resignation letter reported by Dawn, warned that the amendments “subjugate the judiciary to executive control.” His comments reflect deep concern within Pakistan’s legal community that the reforms would effectively erode the separation of powers — a core pillar of the constitution.
Both Shah and Minallah are widely respected for their strong positions on rule of law and judicial independence. Their coordinated resignations sent a powerful signal to the public and legal fraternity about the seriousness of the constitutional changes.
What the New Constitutional Amendments Do
The sweeping reforms passed by parliament introduce several major structural changes to Pakistan’s governance framework, especially concerning the judiciary and the military.
1. Creation of a New Federal Constitutional Court
One of the most controversial elements of the reform is the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court, which will operate parallel to the Supreme Court. Unlike Supreme Court judges — who are appointed through the judicial commission process — judges of this new court will be appointed directly by the prime minister.
Critics argue that this system will allow the executive branch to influence constitutional interpretation and legal oversight, giving the ruling government the ability to shape decisions in its favour.
2. Expanded Powers for the Army Chief
Lawmakers also voted to expand the authority of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s current army chief. Under the new amendments:
He has been granted lifelong legal immunity, meaning he cannot be prosecuted in Pakistani courts.
He has been appointed to a newly created position — Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
In this role, he will hold overarching command of all branches of the armed forces.
His term as CDS is set for five years, extending his influence until at least 2030.
The military already holds enormous influence in Pakistan’s political system, and critics say these changes further concentrate power in the hands of the army chief.
Political Reactions and Calls for Protests
Opposition parties — especially those aligned with jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan — strongly opposed the bill. They accused the government of engineering a constitutional coup by weakening the Supreme Court and empowering the military establishment.
Reports from Dawn indicate that opposition leaders are now exploring the option of launching nationwide protests, potentially triggering a new wave of political unrest.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which remains popular across the country despite its leadership crisis, is expected to lead the demonstrations. Analysts believe the situation may escalate if the public perceives the amendments as an attempt to entrench military and executive dominance.
International and Strategic Angle
Field Marshal Asim Munir has played a key role in managing Pakistan’s relationship with the United States, especially on security cooperation, counter-terrorism, and financial assistance negotiations. Strengthening his position may signal the government’s priorities in foreign policy and defence alignment.
However, domestic critics argue that concentrating more authority in military institutions usually comes at the expense of democratic oversight and civil rights.
A Critical Moment for Pakistan’s Institutions
The resignations of two respected Supreme Court judges underscore the gravity of the constitutional changes. Pakistan has witnessed many periods where the balance between the judiciary, executive, and military has shifted dramatically — but this latest move marks one of the most significant attempts to restructure the country’s institutional power in recent years.
Legal experts warn that the coming weeks will be crucial. The judiciary may challenge aspects of the amendments, opposition parties may hit the streets, and public sentiment could intensify as awareness spreads.
What remains clear is that Pakistan now enters a new and uncertain phase, where debates over constitutional authority, military influence, and the future of democratic governance will dominate its political landscape.
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