SC justices Mansoor Ali Shah, Athar Minallah resign over 27th Amendment

Supreme Court judges, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, submitted their resignations hours after President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment into law on Thursday.

In his resignation letter, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah described the amendment as a “grave assault on the Constitution of Pakistan” that “dismantles the Supreme Court, subjugates the judiciary to executive control, and strikes at the heart of constitutional democracy.”

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah also resigns from the Supreme Court. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/Xxhuskmw11

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 13, 2025

He said the amendment “fractures the unity of the nation’s apex court” and “cripples judicial independence and integrity,” warning it would leave “deep institutional scars.”

Justice Shah stated that continuing as a Supreme Court judge would “amount to silent acquiescence in a constitutional wrong” and that the current amendment stripped the court of the jurisdiction necessary to protect the Constitution. He added that serving in a “truncated and diminished court” would prevent him from safeguarding constitutional principles.

Truly a sad day to witness the complete unravelling of the independence of the judiciary. Justice Athar Minallah resigns - nation loses a brave and independent senior judge. pic.twitter.com/IOAXY2wZAB

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) November 13, 2025

Justice Athar Minallah, in his resignation letter, said that when he took oath 11 years ago, he pledged to uphold “the Constitution.” He noted that he had previously written to the Chief Justice expressing concern over the amendment’s implications for Pakistan’s constitutional order. He added that those fears had now been realized.

Justice Minallah lamented that the Constitution he had sworn to protect “is no more” and described the new legal framework as resting “upon its grave.” He called the remaining institutions “a mere shadow” that lacks the spirit and authority of the original Constitution.

He also reflected on the symbolic responsibility of judicial robes, noting that while they represent a noble trust, historically they have sometimes stood for “betrayal through silence and complicity.”