KARACHI – The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday reserved its order on the maintainability of a petition challenging the 27th Constitutional Amendment and the formation of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC).
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The petition, filed by Barrister Ali Tahir, also questioned the appointments of the FCC judges, including the chief justice, and sought an interim restraining order against the FCC, federal and provincial governments, and all public authorities from exercising authority under any provision of the amendment.
Tahir argued that the 27th Amendment fundamentally altered the Constitution by establishing the FCC with sweeping powers, taking over functions previously under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction. He raised concerns about the constitutional basis for appointing FCC judges and challenged their inclusion as respondents, seeking their removal through a writ petition.
Sindh CM @MuradAliShahPPP on 27th amendment stated that its a normal global practice. If lawyers want to talk to the government or Parliament, they are welcome. Or they may take the matter to court. Coming out on the roads and causing inconvenience to citizens is not acceptable. pic.twitter.com/UiHFlH430h
— Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) November 26, 2025
A two-judge constitutional bench of the SHC, comprising Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry and Justice Muhammad Jaffer Raza, questioned the maintainability of the petition, given the unprecedented step of issuing notices to all FCC judges. After hearing the arguments, the bench reserved its order, expected to be announced on Monday.
A powerful show of unity at the Sindh High Court today.Lawyers stood together and completely rejected the 26th & 27th amendments.We won’t let anyone weaken the judiciary or silence the Bar.These amendments are undemocratic, unacceptable, and will be resisted at every forum. pic.twitter.com/4jXoLDqgBw
— Moniza Kakar (@Moni_Kakar) November 22, 2025
The petitioner contended that the amendment violated the doctrine of separation of powers and undermined judicial independence, an essential feature of the Constitution that cannot be amended even unanimously. He argued that the FCC would have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes between federal and provincial governments, public interest cases, fundamental rights enforcement, and appeals from the Supreme Court and high courts.
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Tahir further maintained that constitutional benches at the SHC were selectively constituted, excluding regular benches from constitutional matters, and appeared to be executive-selected panels that failed to inspire public confidence. He urged the SHC to set aside both the amendment and the FCC judges’ appointments as unconstitutional.