United Nations Human Rights chief Volker Turk has voiced serious concerns over Pakistan’s recently passed 26th Constitutional Amendment, warning that it could significantly weaken judicial independence. The Amendment, passed on October 21, introduces critical changes to the judiciary, including the removal of the Supreme Court’s suo motu powers and giving parliament the authority to nominate the Chief Justice of Pakistan from the three most senior Supreme Court judges.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the UN Human Rights office stated that the hastily adopted changes, without broad consultation or debate, threaten the judiciary’s independence and must align with international human rights standards.
Domestically, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also expressed its reservations. The HRCP warned that key aspects of the amendment could lead to undue political control over the judiciary, especially concerning the Special Parliamentary Committee responsible for nominating the Chief Justice.
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The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) echoed these concerns, calling the Amendment a “blow to judicial independence.” Santiago Canton, the ICJ secretary general, criticized the reforms for allowing unprecedented political influence over judicial appointments, undermining the judiciary’s role as a check on state power and protector of human rights. He condemned the secretive and rapid process by which the Amendment was passed, emphasizing that constitutional changes of such magnitude require thorough public consultation and debate.
The widespread criticism reflects a broader fear that the Amendment compromises the judiciary’s ability to function independently, posing risks to Pakistan’s rule of law and human rights protections.
