Lahore High Court Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani resigned from his post on Wednesday. The LHC judge resigns after stating that the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments — recent changes to Pakistan’s Constitution — have compromised judicial independence. He forwarded his resignation to President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari.
Why he left the Lahore High Court
In his resignation letter, Justice Kiyani said the amendments severely impact common citizens. He wrote that the executive administration is now directly controlling judicial appointments and transfers. He also expressed concern that political interference has undermined public trust in the judiciary.
“Under these circumstances, my conscience does not allow me to continue serving as a judge,” he stated, adding, “I feel the time has come for me to step down.” The Lahore High Court judge resignation is therefore tied, in his own words, to conscience and to the independence of the courts under the amended Constitution.
What he says about the Constitution
Justice Kiyani affirmed that despite resigning, he remains committed to upholding the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. He linked judicial independence in Pakistan to public trust, arguing that political interference has already weakened that trust. The fact that an LHC judge resigns after naming the 26th and 27th amendments keeps the focus on how judges are appointed and transferred under the new constitutional rules.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Lahore High Court ke Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani ne Wednesday ko istefa de diya. Unhone kaha ke 26vein aur 27vein constitutional amendments se adliya ki azadi kamzor ho gayi hai. Unke mutabiq ab executive judicial appointments aur transfers seedha control karti hai. Unhone yeh kadam apne zameer ke mutabiq uthaya hai.
