Justice Aminuddin takes oath as first CJ of newly formed Federal Constitutional Court

ISLAMABAD: Justice Aminuddin Khan on Friday took oath as the first Chief Justice of the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), created under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath at a ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, a day after approving Justice Aminuddin’s appointment on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The appointment was made under clause (3) of Article 175-A, read with Article 175-C of the Constitution, and took effect immediately upon the administration of the oath.

Justice Aminuddin, who began his legal career nearly four decades ago, previously headed the constitutional bench formed under the 26th Constitutional Amendment. With the bench now dissolved, he steps into a pivotal role as the FCC becomes operational.

Sources said arrangements were underway at the Islamabad High Court’s open area—between the judges’ and administration blocks for the oath-taking ceremony of six additional FCC judges. The ceremony is expected to take place around 11am, with Chief Justice Aminuddin set to administer the oaths.

The Federal Constitutional Court, formed through the 27th Amendment, will feature equal provincial representation. Key constitutional powers previously held by the Supreme Court—such as hearing constitutional cases and taking suo motu notice—have now been transferred to the FCC. Under the new framework, suo motu notices may only be taken upon petitions.

Although Chief Justice Yahya Afridi remains the country’s top judge following his oath on October 30, 2024, the judicial hierarchy will change once his three-year term concludes. The senior-most judge among the Supreme Court and FCC judges will then become the top jurist.

The judicial overhaul also includes the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2025, which transfers bench-forming authority from the chief justice to a three-member committee comprising the chief justice, the most senior judge, and a third member nominated by the chief justice. Decisions will be made by majority vote.

Additionally, the retirement age for FCC judges has been set at 68, three years higher than that of Supreme Court judges.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated Justice Aminuddin on assuming office as the first Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court.

The ceremony was attended by senior civil and military officials, including Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, alongside the chiefs of the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Navy.