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FCC Chief Justice swearing-in
Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan was sworn in on Friday as the inaugural Chief Justice of Pakistan’s newly created Federal Constitutional Court (FCC).
“Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan was sworn in on Friday as the first chief justice of Pakistan’s new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). The FCC was created under the 27th constitutional amendment, which transfers constitutional cases from the Supreme Court to the FCC and also expands powers for the army chief, part of sweeping changes to the country’s military and judicial command structure. President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath at a ceremony in Islamabad attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, cabinet members, Supreme Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, lawmakers and top military officials. Khan, who pledged to perform his duties faithfully and without personal bias, was born on Dec. 1, 1960 in Multan.”
He took his oath from President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior political and military figures, and members of the judiciary and legal fraternity.
His appointment followed the passage and presidential signing of the 27th Constitutional Amendment and took effect on the date of the oath.
Khan pledged to perform his duties faithfully and without personal bias.
He was reported to have been born on Dec. 1, 1960, in Multan.
Federal Constitutional Court reforms
The Federal Constitutional Court was established by the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
It is reported to take over many constitutional jurisdiction functions previously exercised by the Supreme Court, including aspects of suo motu authority.
The reform introduces structural changes such as equal provincial representation and an expanded retirement age for FCC judges.
Multiple reports say the appointment was made under clauses of Articles 175-A and 175-C.
The FCC’s creation is intended to shift constitutional caseload away from the Supreme Court.
Sources also report administrative changes to bench formation and the Judicial Commission of Pakistan’s composition.
Resignations over FCC amendment
The creation of the FCC prompted immediate institutional pushback.
“Earlier the same day, senior Supreme Court justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah resigned in protest, saying the amendment undermines the Constitution and judicial independence.”
Several senior Supreme Court justices resigned in protest, including Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah.
Media outlets report criticism from within the judiciary that the amendment undermines the Constitution and judicial independence.
Multiple outlets note that the change followed rapid parliamentary approval and the president’s signing of the amendment one day prior to the oath ceremony.
FCC composition and appointees
Names, composition and procedural rules for the FCC were reported in detail across outlets.
The court is likely to have 13 judges with equal provincial representation.
Several news sources list six initial appointees and note that three of those judges took oaths at the Islamabad High Court after Justice Aminuddin administered their oaths.
Reports list the six named judges variously as Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Aamer (Aamir) Farooq, Ali Baqar Najafi, Muhammad Karim Khan Agha (Karim Khan Agha), Rozi Khan and Arshad Hussain Shah.
Several outlets note that Justice Musarrat Hilali declined a seat on health grounds.
Judicial reform interpretations
Reports on institutional and procedural implications vary.
“The changes are presented as part of a broader effort to modernize Pakistans constitutional framework and strengthen judicial independence.”
Several outlets describe bench-formation rules, limitations and expansions of powers, and changes to seniority and appointment mechanisms, including a three-member committee led by the Chief Justice to constitute benches, expanded Judicial Commission membership, and retirement ages set at 68 for FCC judges versus 65 for Supreme Court judges.
Outlets differ on how they interpret these features: some frame them as efforts to modernize and strengthen judicial capacity, while others see them as concentrating appointment power with the presidency and prime minister and narrowing the Supreme Court's traditional role.