A constitutional petition has been lodged in the Supreme Court of Pakistan seeking to block the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, a move the petitioner claims is a direct assault on the independence of the judiciary that would fundamentally alter the nation’s constitutional structure.

The legal challenge, submitted by Barrister Ali Tahir, has named the Federation of Pakistan, the Chairman of the Senate, and the Speaker of the National Assembly as respondents in the case.

According to the filing, the proposed constitutional alteration is an attempt to reverse powers devolved under the 18th Amendment and “fine-tune” the higher judiciary in a manner that undermines its autonomy.

The plea highlights that the proposed amendment, as reported publicly, includes plans to create separate ‘constitutional courts’ and to limit or transfer the existing jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 184(3) and the High Courts under Article 199.

‘If such an attempt is allowed,’ the petition warns, ‘it would fundamentally alter the constitutional framework, destroy judicial independence, violate the principle of separation of powers, and deprive citizens of their constitutional right to access justice and judicial review.’

Barrister Tahir has requested the apex court to declare any measure, whether a bill, draft, or debate, aimed at limiting or abolishing the jurisdiction of the superior courts as unconstitutional, void, and of no legal effect.

The petition argues that the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction under Article 184(3), which empowers it to take up matters of public importance, is an ‘essential, immutable, and unamendable feature’ of the Constitution and cannot be curtailed.

Furthermore, it urges the court to rule that establishing any parallel body like a ‘constitutional court’ would be inconsistent with the existing judicial structure defined in the Constitution. The filing stresses that the Supreme and High Courts are the exclusive repositories of judicial authority.

A key request in the plea is for an interim restraining order to prevent the government and parliament from taking any legislative or procedural steps on the 27th Amendment Bill 2025 until the case is decided.

The petitioner also seeks the suspension of any parliamentary debate, approval, or voting process related to the restructuring of judicial powers while the matter is under adjudication by the court.

In his submission, Barrister Tahir emphasized that the Supreme Court, as the ultimate guardian of the Constitution, is empowered and obligated to safeguard the constitutional framework from any present or potential encroachment.