Justice Mansoor Writes to CJP: “Our Actions Are Under Scrutiny, History Will Not Forget”

Islamabad-(Mudassar Iqbal): Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, the Senior Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, has formally distanced himself from the special benches established under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023.

In a letter to Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who chairs the committee created under this Act, Justice Shah voiced his objections and concerns regarding the constitutionality of the recent legal amendments.

He referenced a previous letter he sent on September 23, 2024, in which he raised objections that were not recorded in the minutes of the 19th committee meeting.

Justice Shah stated that he would refrain from participating in any special benches formed by the new committee until a Full Court Bench assesses the validity of Ordinance No. VIII of 2024 or the previous committee structure is reinstated. He affirmed that he would continue to hear cases involving ordinary litigants in regular benches to uphold the public interest.

In his letter, Justice Shah emphasized the significance of individual conscience in fulfilling public responsibilities, quoting Sir Thomas More from “A Man for All Seasons”: “I think that when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties, they lead their country by a short route to chaos.”

He urged his colleagues to remember that the people of Pakistan are closely watching their actions, and history will judge them accordingly.

This development brings to the forefront critical questions about the ongoing debate surrounding the constitutional validity of recent amendments and the formation of special benches within the Supreme Court.

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