Pakistan's SJC Amends Judicial Code, Allows Judges to Attend Political Functions with Approval
The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) of Pakistan approved amendments to the Code of Conduct for judges on June 11. These changes now permit judges of the superior courts to attend or preside over political or diplomatic functions, provided they obtain prior permission from their respective chief justices. The amendments also incorporate the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) into the Code's definition of "superior court" and its title, alongside revising procedures for judges reporting attempts to influence their decisions. The SJC meeting, presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, discussed the draft Rules Regulating Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Council.
Pakistan's Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) approved significant amendments to the Code of Conduct for judges during its meeting on June 11. A key change allows judges of the superior courts to attend or preside over political or diplomatic functions, a practice previously subject to a complete ban under Article XII of the Code. This new provision requires judges to obtain prior permission from their relevant chief justices before participation.
The meeting, presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, saw the participation of Chief Justice Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) Justice Aminuddin, along with the chief justices of the Lahore and Peshawar high courts.
Another amendment incorporates the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) into the definition of "superior court" within the Code. Consequently, the title of the Code of Conduct will now be "Code of Conduct for Judges of the Federal Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the High Courts."
Amendments were also made to Article XV, which outlines judges' responsibility to decide cases on merit, maintain moral integrity, and resist internal or external influence. The revised article mandates that judges must immediately inform, in writing, the chief justice of their relevant high court, the CJP, the chief justice of the FCC or the Supreme Court, and the two senior-most judges each of the FCC and the Supreme Court, through their respective registrars, in cases of attempted influence.
For high court judges, their chief justice will present the matter to a three-judge committee within two days, with the committee's decision expected within a fortnight. If the chief justice or the committee fails to respond within the stipulated timeframe, the FCC or the Supreme Court, which was informed by the judge, will take up the matter. The FCC was established as Pakistan's apex court after the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill passed in November 2025, reducing the Supreme Court to a final appellate court for civil and criminal matters.
(Source: Dawn Pakistan)
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