ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) of Pakistan, established under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, has officially moved to the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) building in Islamabad, officials confirmed Monday.
The inauguration of the new premises was led by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan, accompanied by other judges, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan.
Three benches of the FCC, including a three-member bench led by the chief justice, have already started hearing cases, notably super tax disputes.
Renovation work at the FSC building, which lasted several weeks, has been completed. With this relocation, the Federal Shariat Court will now operate from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) building. The FCC had previously been functioning temporarily at the IHC since November 18.
“The move to permanent premises is a significant step in ensuring the court’s smooth functioning,” said officials, though logistical challenges remain.
The transition had been delayed due to objections from FSC judges, forcing FCC judges—including Chief Justice Khan—to work from chambers in the Supreme Court building during the interim.
Despite the relocation, the FCC continues to face staff shortages. So far, only 20 officials have been transferred from the Supreme Court to support operations, while 40 judicial officers from the Punjab judiciary and some retired Supreme Court officials have been inducted.
The FCC inherited 22,910 of the total 56,608 cases from the Supreme Court, and experts warn that managing such a large caseload requires a proportional increase in staff.
Observers have also highlighted that the rate of new case filings at the FCC exceeds that of the Supreme Court, adding pressure on the fledgling institution.
The establishment of the FCC marks a landmark reform in Pakistan’s judiciary, aimed at strengthening constitutional oversight and reducing the overburden on the Supreme Court.
By taking up cases previously handled by the apex court, the FCC is expected to accelerate the resolution of complex constitutional and fiscal disputes, particularly high-value taxation and federal legislation challenges.
Legal experts note that the FCC could play a key role in shaping Pakistan’s legal landscape, as its decisions may set precedents for the interpretation of constitutional amendments, federal powers, and individual rights.
The court’s ability to manage its large caseload efficiently will likely determine public confidence in Pakistan’s judicial system.
For international observers, the FCC’s formation and functioning reflect broader trends in judicial modernization and governance reform in South Asia.
As Pakistan navigates challenges like economic recovery, fiscal transparency, and institutional strengthening, the FCC could serve as a model for streamlining judicial processes in countries facing overburdened court systems.
Additionally, the relocation highlights the logistical complexities of creating new constitutional institutions, including infrastructure, staffing, and coordination with existing courts. These lessons could be relevant to other nations considering judicial expansion or constitutional reforms.
