ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s newly formed Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) aims to stand as a “guardian of constitutionalism and an enduring symbol of justice,” Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan said on Friday, marking a significant moment in the country’s judicial evolution.
The FCC was created under the recently enacted 27th Constitutional Amendment, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from political opponents and segments of the judiciary.
Government officials say the new court is designed to reduce the Supreme Court’s heavy caseload, expedite constitutional litigation, and reinforce judicial independence and credibility.
In a statement published on the FCC’s newly launched website, Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan described the establishment of the court as a milestone in Pakistan’s “ongoing constitutional journey.”
“This court reinforces our collective commitment to the rule of law and to the enduring promise of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” he said.
Justice Aminuddin Khan emphasised that the FCC has been entrusted with a mandate of “great significance”: interpreting the Constitution with clarity and independence, safeguarding fundamental rights, and ensuring that Pakistan’s constitutional order remains a source of stability and balance across the state institutions.
He stressed that the court’s work is both judicial and a “solemn trust” that will shape the lives and liberties of citizens.
As the FCC begins its institutional life, he said, it seeks to embody “integrity, impartiality and intellectual rigour.”
Each case, he noted, would be handled with “unwavering commitment to fairness and restraint,” guided solely by the Constitution and core principles of justice.
The court aspires to foster a tradition of reasoned adjudication and enhance public confidence in constitutional governance.
Calling it a privilege to serve as the first chief justice of the FCC, Justice Aminuddin said he hoped to help lay the foundation for an institution “whose purpose transcends individuals and moments in time.”
A day earlier, the chief justice visited the designated site for a new judicial record room within the Islamabad High Court premises.
Accompanied by Justices Ali Baqir Najafi and Arshad Hussain Shah, he reviewed arrangements for shifting relevant constitutional case files from the Supreme Court to the new facility.
He underscored the importance of secure archiving and accessible records to support ongoing and future judicial proceedings.
The establishment of the FCC marks a major institutional shift in Pakistan’s judicial landscape — one designed to streamline constitutional adjudication while navigating a politically charged reform environment.
