A sessions court in Islamabad sentenced lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her spouse Hadi Ali Chattha to 17 years. The case involved controversial social media posts allegedly supporting banned militant groups. The ruling has sparked widespread condemnation from lawyers, activists, and politicians across Pakistan. According to the court, Imaan “consistently shared offensive, misleading, and anti-state […]
judicial independence
Balochistan bar body condemns JCP decision on judge
The Balochistan Bar Council (BBC) on Tuesday expressed strong condemnation of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s (JCP) decision to suspend the confirmation of Justice Ayub Tareen, citing the judge’s brother’s political affiliation. Read More: JCP to meet on Dec 2 to appoint SC, SHC and BHC chief justices The council described the move as unjust, […]
CM Afridi to lead PTI street mobilisation tour in Sindh from Jan 9–11
KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is set to launch a new phase of street mobilisation in Sindh as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi embarks on a three-day tour of the province from January 9 to 11. The initiative aims to energise the party’s grassroots movement in Karachi, Hyderabad, and other cities while pressing for the […]
UN warns Pakistan: Constitutional changes threaten judiciary
ISLAMABAD: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed serious concerns over Pakistan’s recent constitutional amendments. He warned they undermine judicial independence and accountability. Türk said the changes could threaten democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan. Türk criticized the process, saying the amendments were adopted without wide consultation with legal experts […]
SHC reserves verdict on 27th Constitutional Amendment petition
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). Read More: Petition filed in LHC challenging 27th Amendment The petition, filed by Barrister Ali Tahir, also questioned the appointments of the FCC judges, including […]
IHC judges move belongings amid resignation rumours
Three judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) have removed their personal belongings from the court premises, intensifying speculation about their possible resignations following the enforcement of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. Read More: FCC bins IHC judges‘ plea to send transfer case back to SC According to sources, Justices Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, Babar Sattar and Sardar […]
Lawyers clash with authorities at SHC over 27th Amendment
Lawyers of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) staged a protest on Saturday at the Sindh High Court (SHC) against the recently enacted 27th Constitutional Amendment. The amendment, which created the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), has sparked opposition over fears it undermines the Supreme Court (SC). The protest began outside the SHC with lawyers chanting slogans […]
SHC issues notices over petitions challenging 27th amendment
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday issued notices to the ministries of law and justice and parliamentary affairs on two identical petitions challenging the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The petitioners — both practicing lawyers — have argued that the amendment undermines the separation of powers, judicial independence and the rule of law. Read More: […]
27th Amendment Case Blocked
The Supreme Court blocked a petition by four IHC judges who challenged the 27th Amendment. The registry said the old jurisdiction no longer applies. It advised the judges to use the new Federal Constitutional Court. This decision surprised many because the petition questions that court’s creation. The move raised fresh concerns about judicial independence and […]
SHC issues notices on ordinance empowering constitutional benches
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the acting governor, who is also the speaker of the provincial assembly, the chief secretary, and the law secretary in response to two petitions challenging a recently promulgated ordinance. The ordinance grants the high court’s constitutional benches (CBs) exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional matters under […]