President Accepts Resignations of Two Senior SC Top Judges

President Asif Ali Zardari has accepted the resignations of two senior judges of Pakistan’s Supreme Court, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah. The two judges resigned soon after the 27th Constitutional Amendment was passed, a change they believe seriously weakens the judiciary.

The new amendment reduces the powers of the Supreme Court and creates a separate court to handle constitutional matters. Both judges said these changes go against the Constitution and undermine the independence of the judiciary.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah wrote that the amendment is a grave attack on the Constitution and “dismantles” the Supreme Court by taking away its most important duties. Justice Athar Minallah said that the Constitution he swore to protect “is no more,” and that he could not continue serving under a system where the top court’s role has been limited.

Their resignations highlight a major institutional crisis in Pakistan. Many legal experts worry that the amendment gives more influence to the government and makes the judiciary less independent. The country now waits to see how the remaining judges will respond, how the new constitutional court will operate, and what these changes will mean for ordinary citizens and their constitutional rights.