Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan Takes Oath as Chief Justice of Pakistan’s New Federal Constitutional Court

Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan was sworn in on Friday as the inaugural Chief Justice of Pakistan’s newly created Federal Constitutional Court (FCC).

“Supreme Court judge Justice Aminuddin Khan tooks oath as the inaugural Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) at Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad on Friday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel”

24 News HD

He took his oath from President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.

24 News HD

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.

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.

Arab News

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.

The creation of the FCC prompted immediate institutional pushback.

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.

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.

ARY News

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.

Reports on institutional and procedural implications vary.

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.

BOL News

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.