Judicial resignations labelled partisan as government hints at further amendments

The political temperature continued to rise on Sunday as Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry declared that the ruling coalition was ready to introduce yet another constitutional amendment if needed to maintain governance stability.

Speaking to reporters in Faisalabad the PML N leader argued that parliament alone held the mandate to reshape the Constitution and insisted that the recent 26th and 27th Amendments had contributed to stability rather than disruption.

Chaudhry stated that if more changes were required the government and its allies would not hesitate to proceed. He said that parliament must be seen exercising its authority openly and confidently.

Minister Calls Judges Resignations Political

The minister strongly criticised the resignations of senior judges following the passage of the 27th Amendment. He alleged that the judges who stepped down had done so on political grounds rather than principle.

Chaudhry argued that constitutional amendments were the exclusive domain of the legislature and said members of the judiciary were bound by their oath to the Constitution. He maintained that judges could not act as a political party by resigning whenever a constitutional change did not suit them.

He went further alleging bias on the part of the departing judges and recalling moments from recent judicial history which he said reflected political inclinations within the courts.

Criticism of Judicial Conduct and Suo Motu Powers

Chaudhry also criticised what he described as years of excessive use of suo motu powers by the judiciary claiming these powers had been used to remove prime ministers and influence political outcomes.

He referenced the judiciary’s past interactions with political leaders suggesting that the environment had shifted and that the unchecked judicial activism of previous years would no longer be tolerated by the government or parliament.

PTI Boycott and Political Implications

The minister also commented on the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf decision to boycott upcoming by elections in Faisalabad claiming that PTI avoided electoral contests where it faced substantial opposition.

The situation adds another layer of political complexity as the ruling coalition pushes reforms that have triggered tensions between parliament and the judiciary.

Background Resignations Continue After 27th Amendment

The controversy stems from the enactment of the 27th Constitutional Amendment which was approved by both houses of parliament despite fierce resistance from opposition parties.

On the day the amendment was signed Supreme Court Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah resigned calling the legislation an assault on the Constitution and warning that it weakened the judiciary.

A day later Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza stepped down from the Lahore High Court also citing objections to the amendment. Reports suggest additional resignations may follow at the Islamabad High Court escalating an already tense institutional confrontation.