ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court’s senior Justice Aminuddin Khan on Friday took oath as the first Chief Justice of Pakistan’s newly created Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), marking a historic shift in the country’s judicial structure.
Justice Aminuddin Khan, born in 1960 in Multan, hails from a prominent legal family. He graduated with an LL.B from University Law College, Multan, in 1984 and began his legal practice under the mentorship of his father, Khan Sadiq Muhammad Ahsan.
He became eligible for practice for the Lahore High Court in 1987 and was awarded license to practice law in the Supreme Court in 2001. Justice Aminuddin practiced at Zafar Law Firm, Multan, until 2011, when he was elevated to the Lahore High Court. He served at its Multan and Bahawalpur benches before being appointed to the Supreme Court in 2019.
In November 2024, he was named head of the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench, placing him at the forefront of constitutional adjudication in Pakistan.
Judicial Philosophy
Known for his judicial restraint and technical precision, Justice Aminuddin has built a reputation for delivering clear, tightly reasoned judgments. He has authored scores of civil and constitutional decisions, many of which have been upheld by the Supreme Court, reinforcing his standing as one of the judiciary’s most meticulous legal minds.
Role and Challenges as FCC Chief Justice
As the inaugural Chief Justice of the FCC, Justice Aminuddin is now positioned to lead a court envisioned to specialise exclusively in constitutional interpretation. The government argues that the FCC will lighten the Supreme Court’s workload, ensure timely resolution of constitutional cases, and enhance judicial independence.
However, critics warn that the restructuring—particularly the new mechanism in which a three-member committee, including the FCC Chief Justice, will determine bench formation in the Supreme Court—could increase executive influence over judicial matters.
A Long-Discussed Reform
The idea of a separate constitutional court is not new: it was first proposed in the 2006 Charter of Democracy (CoD) signed by the PPP and the PML-N. Although the concept resurfaced during debates on the 26th Constitutional Amendment, it faltered amid political resistance. The 27th Amendment now brings that long-standing proposal to fruition.
A Defining Moment
Justice Aminuddin Khan’s appointment to lead Pakistan’s first Federal Constitutional Court marks both a personal milestone and a pivotal moment for the country’s judicial evolution. As he assumes this new role, he faces the dual challenge of shaping a nascent institution while navigating heightened expectations—and scrutiny—over its role in Pakistan’s constitutional future.
