Supreme Court Judges Reject Collective Resignation Proposal Over 27th Amendment

Islamabad: In an internal full court meeting on **November 14**, the majority of Supreme Court judges rejected a proposal for a collective resignation in response to the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The meeting was presided over by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and attended by 13 judges. Justices Munib Akhtar, Ayesha A. Malik, and Musarrat Hilali were absent due to illness or personal commitments.

According to sources, the meeting involved a detailed discussion on the perceived reduction of the Supreme Court’s powers following the amendment. During the deliberations, some judges suggested that the court could submit a collective resignation to prevent Parliament from passing laws. However, no consensus was reached on the proposal.

Chief Justice Afridi emphasized that judges should have addressed the matter directly rather than writing to the government or any governmental institution. He clarified that while the Supreme Court has the authority to review the constitutional validity of laws, this power can only be exercised **after** a law has been enacted, and the court cannot preemptively stop legislation.

The meeting also noted that two judges, Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah, had resigned. The Chief Justice remarked that they should have discussed the matter with him beforehand.

Judges underscored the importance of a strong institutional response from the judiciary to ensure that actions are taken within constitutional procedures. Sources described the meeting as serious and tense, with judges agreeing that the judiciary must maintain its impartiality and effectiveness in the eyes of the public and the law. The meeting concluded without any unanimous decision.