Supreme Court forms new judicial council under CJP Yahya Afridi

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a formal notification announcing the formation of a new Judicial Council, to be headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi.

According to the notification, Federal Constitutional Court Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan will serve as the second senior member of the council. The council will also include Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Hassan Rizvi, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.

Justice Mandokhail’s name was jointly nominated by both CJP Afridi and CJ Aminuddin Khan after mutual consultation, reflecting a rare show of consensus in judicial appointments. Justice Mandokhail has been entrusted with multiple key responsibilities in recent months, including his inclusion in the Supreme Court’s important Practice and Procedure Committee.

The notification further highlights that Justice Aamer Farooq of the Federal Constitutional Court has been inducted into the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP).

LHC FORMS FULL BENCH TO HEAR PETITIONS CHALLENGING 27TH AMENDMENT

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has constituted a three-member full bench to hear petitions filed against the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which petitioners claim undermines the authority of the Supreme Court and threatens judicial independence.

According to a notification issued by the court, LHC Chief Justice Alia Neelam has formed the bench, appointing Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan as its head. Justice Jawad Hassan and Justice Sultan Tanveer will serve as the other members of the bench.

The petitions have made the prime minister and the National Assembly speaker respondents in the case, naming them through their respective secretaries. Petitioners argue that the 27th Amendment has effectively abolished the Supreme Court’s original constitutional authority by transforming it into a “Federal Constitutional Court,” which they claim alters the very structure of Pakistan’s judicial system.

The petitions further contend that the amendment poses a serious threat to the status and independence of the judiciary. They argue that the changes are incompatible with Islamic provisions, fundamental rights, and the constitutional guarantee of judicial autonomy.

Additionally, the petitioners maintain that the amendment was passed without consulting the provinces, thereby affecting the federal structure of the Constitution, adding that no meaningful input was sought from lawyers, civil society, journalists, or other stakeholders either before the amendment was enacted, rendering the legislative process flawed and non-inclusive.

The pleas request the LHC to declare the 27th Constitutional Amendment null and void. They also seek a stay order to halt its implementation until the court reaches a final decision.