Two Supreme Court Judges Resign in Protest Over 27th Constitutional Amendment, Warning of Threats to Judicial Independence
Islamabad, Nov 13, 2025: Two senior judges of the Supreme Court, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, have resigned, citing their strong opposition to the 27th constitutional amendment.
Both justices have raised alarm over the amendment’s potential to undermine the independence of the judiciary and violate the core principles of the Constitution, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s judicial and political history.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in his resignation letter addressed to the President of Pakistan, sharply criticized the 27th Amendment as a “blatant assault” on the Constitution. He argued that the amendment significantly weakens the authority of the Supreme Court, places the judiciary under executive control and disrupts the separation of powers that is vital to Pakistan’s democratic framework.
Justice Shah detailed his decision to resign, explaining that remaining in office under such circumstances would amount to tacit approval of what he described as a “constitutional mutilation.” He also emphasized that such changes, implemented without adequate consultation, would ultimately fail to stand the test of time.
The resignation letter also highlighted the Chief Justice’s failure to defend the judiciary’s integrity and the creation of a parallel constitutional court under the new amendment, which Justice Shah argued is in direct conflict with Pakistan’s established legal and constitutional norms.
In a similar move, Justice Athar Minallah also stepped down, echoing Justice Shah’s concerns about the amendment. Justice Minallah had previously raised alarms about the dangers posed by the 27th Amendment, specifically warning that it could destabilize Pakistan’s constitutional order. In his resignation letter, he stated that the amendment had rendered the Constitution almost unrecognizable and left it devoid of its original spirit.
Both justices reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution, but made it clear that they could no longer serve in an institution whose integrity had been compromised.
Their resignations now cast a shadow over the future of Pakistan’s judicial system and raise important questions about the government’s intentions behind the amendment. While the government has defended the 27th Amendment as necessary for judicial reforms, critics argue that it risks politicizing the judiciary and dismantling vital checks and balances within Pakistan’s legal system.