President Asif Ali Zardari has officially accepted the resignations of two senior Supreme Court judges, Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah, who stepped down following the passage of the controversial 27th Constitutional Amendment.
Both judges submitted their resignations on Thursday, citing fundamental objections to the amendment which they described as a “grave assault” on Pakistan’s Constitution. In their strongly worded resignation letters, they warned that the changes undermine judicial independence and threaten the country’s democratic foundations.
The judges expressed serious concerns about what they viewed as the judiciary’s increasing subjugation to executive power. They argued that the amendment fundamentally alters the Supreme Court’s constitutional role and its ability to protect citizens’ rights.
A full court meeting was convened today, but surprisingly, the 27th Amendment was not discussed during the session. This omission raised questions among legal observers about whether the judiciary would collectively address the constitutional changes.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif responded to the resignations with criticism, suggesting the judges only acted after their “monopoly was curtailed.” His comments reflected the government’s position that the amendment represents necessary reform rather than an attack on judicial independence.
The acceptance of these resignations marks a significant moment in Pakistan’s judicial history. Legal experts are divided on the implications, with some praising the judges’ principled stand while others question the timing and impact of their departure.
The controversy surrounding the 27th Amendment continues to dominate public discourse, with concerns about the balance of power between state institutions at the forefront.
