President Zardari administers oath; government moves swiftly after Senate passes related bills

New Court Takes Shape After 27th Amendment

Pakistan’s judicial landscape shifted dramatically on Friday as the newly formed Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) officially became operational, just hours after the Senate passed four enabling bills tied to the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
The swift execution marks a major step in restructuring the country’s constitutional adjudication system.

Justice Aminuddin Khan Sworn In as First Chief Justice

Justice Aminuddin Khan was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court during a ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr, administered by President Asif Ali Zardari.

The ceremony opened with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the oath in which Justice Aminuddin pledged to uphold the Constitution and execute his duties “without fear or favour, affection or ill will.”

His appointment was made under Clause 3 of Article 175A, read with Article 175C, of the Constitution.

High-Profile Attendance at Oath Ceremony

The oath-taking was attended by:

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
• Chief Justice Yahaya Afridi
• Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani
• National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq
• First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari
• PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
• Federal ministers
• Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir
• CJCSC General Sahir Shamshad Mirza
• Parliamentarians and members of the legal community

The participation of the country’s top political and military leadership underscored the importance placed on launching the new court.

Supreme Court Judges Resign in Protest

In a dramatic parallel development, President Zardari accepted the resignations of Supreme Court judges Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah.
The announcement was made via the president’s official X account.

Both justices resigned on Thursday, calling the new legislation an “affront to the judiciary and the 1973 Constitution.”
Their exit marks one of the most significant judicial protests in recent years.

Six Judges Appointed to the FCC

Following Justice Aminuddin’s appointment, the president appointed six judges to the FCC:

• Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi (Supreme Court)
• Justice Aamer Farooq (Supreme Court)
• Justice Ali Baqar Najafi (Supreme Court)
• Justice Karim Khan Agha (Sindh High Court)
• Justice Rozi Khan Barrech (Chief Justice, Balochistan High Court)
• Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah

Justice Arshad Shah was appointed after Justice Musarrat Hilali declined to join the FCC.

Justice KK Agha is expected to take oath today, completing the initial seven-member bench.

Justices Rizvi, Farooq, and Najafi were sworn in by Chief Justice Aminuddin at the Islamabad High Court.

Bench Strength Expected to Increase to 13

According to sources, the government has decided to increase the FCC’s strength to 13 judges.
Although the initial strength was set through a presidential order, any expansion will require parliamentary approval under an act of Parliament. The establishment of the FCC marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s judicial structure, with far-reaching implications for constitutional interpretation and institutional balance.