ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court’s Full Court on Friday unanimously approved updates to the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, in a session convened following the enactment of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which had earlier prompted the resignation of two senior judges.
According to an official SC statement, the Full Court endorsed revisions prepared by a committee comprising Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi.
The committee was constituted under Rule 1(4) of Order I of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025, to address difficulties arising in the implementation of its provisions.
The court expressed sincere appreciation for the committee’s meticulous review of the Supreme Court Rules, 1980, and for drafting the updated 2025 rules while addressing suggestions for removing procedural difficulties. The updated rules aim to enhance service delivery and ensure inexpensive and expeditious administration of justice.
In addition, the Full Court unanimously approved the grant of the status of Senior Advocate Supreme Court to Muhammad Munir Paracha, Advocate, in accordance with Rule 5 of Order IV of the Supreme Court Rules, 2025.
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi had convened the Full Court session after three judges of the Supreme Court requested it. Earlier, two senior judges, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, resigned following the passage of the 27th Amendment. Both judges submitted their resignations to President Asif Zardari.
In his seven-page resignation letter, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah described the amendment as a severe attack on the Constitution, asserting that it had eroded judicial independence. He stated that justice had moved away from the common citizen, leaving vulnerable groups powerless against the influential, and warned that the amendment had divided the top court and set back the nation by decades.
