Justice Aminuddin Khan Appointed as First Chief Justice of Pakistan's Newly Established Federal Constitutional Court

Justice Aminuddin Khan has been appointed as the first Chief Justice of Pakistan's Federal Constitutional Court, following the enactment of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. This new court will handle constitutional matters, while the Supreme Court focuses on civil and criminal cases.

Justice Aminuddin Khan has been appointed as the inaugural Chief Justice of Pakistan's newly formed Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). President Asif Ali Zardari approved this appointment following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's advice, according to Geo News. This decision coincided with the president's signing of the 27th Constitutional Amendment into law, which established the FCC.

The law ministry's notification states that Khan's appointment will be effective from the day he takes his oath. The oath-taking ceremony is set for Friday at the Presidency. It will be attended by chief justices, judges of superior courts, and senior government officials, as reported.

Federal Constitutional Court's Role

The amended legislation requires the FCC to handle constitutional matters, while the Supreme Court will focus on traditional civil and criminal cases. The FCC has also been granted the authority to take suo motu notices upon petitions, a power previously held by the Supreme Court.

Earlier in the day, Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah resigned from their Supreme Court positions. They protested against the constitutional amendment, claiming it undermines the Constitution and compromises judicial independence.

Implications of the Amendment

The establishment of the FCC marks a significant shift in Pakistan's judicial structure. By creating a separate court for constitutional issues, it aims to streamline legal processes. However, this change has sparked controversy among some members of the judiciary.

Justice Khan's new role as Chief Justice of the FCC is pivotal in navigating these changes. His leadership will be crucial in shaping how constitutional matters are addressed under this new framework.

This development reflects ongoing debates about judicial independence and constitutional integrity in Pakistan. The resignation of senior judges highlights concerns within the judiciary about these amendments' impact on their roles and responsibilities.

With inputs from PTI