A historic moment unfolded on Friday as Justice Aminuddin Khan took the oath, becoming the inaugural Chief Justice of the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). This development follows the enactment of the 27th Amendment into law, a significant step in Pakistan's legal landscape. The ceremony, held at the Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad, was attended by prominent figures, including Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza. Joining them on stage were Supreme Court Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Notable attendees also included PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, his sister Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, and other key political figures.
The ceremony commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, setting a solemn tone. President Zardari then administered the oath to Justice Aminuddin in English, a moment that marked the beginning of a new era in Pakistan's judiciary. In his oath, Justice Aminuddin pledged to uphold the Constitution and the law, adhering to the code of conduct set by the Supreme Judicial Council. He vowed to remain impartial, free from personal interests, and committed to doing right by all, without fear or favor.
Justice Aminuddin's appointment was made by President Zardari under specific constitutional provisions, with the oath-taking ceremony taking place a day after his nomination. The establishment of the FCC is part of a broader judicial reform initiative, as outlined in the 27th Constitutional Amendment. Government officials emphasize that the FCC's creation aims to alleviate the workload of the Supreme Court, ensure timely resolution of constitutional cases, and enhance judicial independence and credibility.
In a significant move, President Zardari appointed six judges to the FCC, including Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Aamer Farooq, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi from the Supreme Court, Justice K.K. Agha from the Sindh High Court, and Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech from the Balochistan High Court. Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah was also appointed, filling a position left vacant by Justice Musarrat Hilali's decision not to join the FCC.
The initial composition of the FCC was determined through a presidential order, with any future expansion requiring parliamentary approval. Today, Justices Rizvi, Farooq, and Najafi were administered their oaths by Justice Aminuddin at the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The ceremony's location shifted from the originally planned Federal Shariat Court (FSC) due to resistance from FSC judges against an immediate relocation.
The oath-taking ceremony for Justice Aminuddin underwent several revisions. Initially scheduled for Thursday at 10 am, a minor amendment to the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill required the legislation to be returned to the Senate for approval. After Senate approval on Thursday, the ceremony was first rescheduled for 6 pm and then moved to Friday morning. Interestingly, even the FSC location was not utilized as originally intended, with sources revealing that FSC judges expressed dissatisfaction with their sudden relocation, prompting a discussion with Chief Justice Afridi.
This historic event marks a significant milestone in Pakistan's judicial system, with the FCC's establishment aiming to strengthen the nation's legal framework and ensure timely justice.
