Opinion | Judicial disaster
Summary
Recent constitutional amendments in Pakistan have undermined the independence of the judiciary, enabling the executive and parliament to exert control over judicial appointments and transfers.
Key Points
- The 26th and 27th Amendments to Pakistan's Constitution have eroded judicial independence by allowing executive and parliamentary majority control over judicial appointments.
- Judges were transferred from the Islamabad High Court without their consent to facilitate appointment of like-minded judges.
- The Federal Constitutional Court's judges and chief justices are now appointed through mechanisms controlled by the executive and parliament.
- Judicial independence guaranteed by the Constitution has been compromised, with judges now subject to executive pressure and potential disciplinary action for non-compliance.
