Resignations of Senior SC Judges Accepted

SC Justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Athar Minullah Resign

Senior Supreme Court justices of Pakistan, Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minullah, resigned from their positions on Thursday.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah submitted his resignation to the president. Saying he served the Supreme Court with dignity, honesty, and integrity. He added that his conscience is clear and he has no regrets.

In his resignation, he criticised the 27th Constitutional Amendment, calling it an attack on the Constitution.

He said the amendment has effectively weakened the Supreme Court and turned the judiciary into a subordinate body of the executive.

Justice Mansoor stated he could not remain in a system where judicial independence was being compromised. He warned that the poor would be deprived of justice.

Justice Athar Minullah also resigned and sent his resignation to the president for approval.

In his resignation, he said, ” The Constitution that I swore an oath to uphold and defend is no more.”

He further stated in his resignation, “Much as I have tried to convince myself otherwise. I can think of no greater assault on its memory than to pretend that. As new foundations are now laid, they rest upon anything other than its grave”.

He stated, “Prior to the passage of the 27th Amendment, I wrote to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, expressing concern over what its proposed features meant for our constitutional order.”

“I need not reproduce the detailed contents of that letter, but suffice it to say that, against a canvas of selective silence and inaction, those fears have now come to be,” he further added.

“These robes we wear are more than mere ornaments. They are to serve as a reminder of that most noble trust bestowed upon those fortunate enough to don them,” the letter read. “Instead, throughout our history, they have too often stood as symbols of betrayal through silence and complicity alike.”