KARACHI: As Pakistan continues its debate over the implementation of Shariah law, religious leaders gathered in Karachi on December 22, 2025, under the banner of Masjlis Islamic Ulema Pakistan, to demand urgent reforms in the country’s judicial system. Their focus was on the need to strengthen Shariah courts and appoint Ulema judges, in accordance with the Constitution, to ensure the proper application of Islamic principles in the legal system.
According to the Constitution of Pakistan, Shariah courts should consist of three Ulema judges to ensure decisions are made in line with Islamic law. However, religious leaders highlighted a long-standing failure to implement this provision, which they argue is one of the key reasons for the decline in the public’s trust and reliance on the legal system.
“The absence of Ulema judges in Shariah courts is a grave concern,” said a leading cleric at the gathering. “It not only undermines the Islamic foundation of our legal system but also discourages people from seeking justice through these courts.”
The gathering emphasized that the establishment of Shariah courts with Ulema judges would restore confidence in the judiciary, ensuring that legal decisions reflect the true spirit of the Quran and Sunnah. They called on the government to urgently appoint qualified Ulema judges to Shariah courts and the Supreme Court’s Shariat Appellate Bench, as outlined in the Constitution.
“By failing to appoint Ulema judges, the government has neglected a critical aspect of our legal system,” the statement read. “We demand the immediate appointment of these judges to restore the sanctity of Shariah law in our courts.”
The call to strengthen the Shariah court system has garnered widespread support among religious groups, who argue that such reforms are essential for the nation to uphold its Islamic identity and fulfill its constitutional commitments. With the pressure mounting, the government now faces a critical challenge in addressing the demands of religious leaders for the proper implementation of Islamic law in the judicial system.
