UN Human Rights body expresses concern over Pakistan’s constitutional amendments

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Friday that Pakistan’s hastily adopted constitutional amendments seriously undermine judicial independence, and raise grave concerns about accountability and respect for the rule of law.

The Human Rights chief claimed the latest constitutional amendment, like the 26th amendment in 2024, had been adopted without broad consultation and debate with the legal community and wider civil society.

Türk said the amendments run counter to the separation of powers that underpin the rule of law and safeguard the protection of human rights in Pakistan.

“Under the changes adopted on November 13, a new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has been given powers over constitutional cases, replacing the previous authority of the Supreme Court, which will now only deal with civil and criminal cases,” read the statement.

President Zardari signs contentious 27th Constitutional Amendment after Senate approval

The UN Human Rights body said the systems for appointment, promotion and transfer of judges have been changed in a manner raising serious concerns about undermining the structural independence of Pakistan’s judiciary. The first chief justice of the FCC and the first set of FCC judges have been already assigned by the president on the advice of the prime minster.

“These changes, taken together, risk subjugating the judiciary to political interference and executive control,” said Türk. “Neither the executive nor legislative should be in a position to control or direct the judiciary, and the judiciary should be protected from any form of political influence in its decision-making.

“A core measure of judicial independence is a tribunal’s insulation from political interference by the government. If judges are not independent, experience shows that they struggle to apply the law equally and to uphold human rights for all in the face of political pressure.”

Türk said sweeping immunity provisions like the ones given in the amendment undermine accountability which is a cornerstone of the human rights framework.

“I am concerned that these amendments risk far-reaching consequences for the principles of democracy and rule of law which the Pakistani people hold dear,” he added.

President Asif Ali Zardari on November 13 gave his assent to the long-debated 27th Constitutional Amendment, after its approval from the Parliament.

According to a notification issued by the presidency, “The Constitution (Twenty-Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2025, is assented to, as advised by the Prime Minister at para 5 of the summary.”

With the president’s signature, the amendment has now officially become part of the Constitution.

The development came moments after the Senate approved the amendment bill following changes approved by the National Assembly a day earlier, amid noisy protests by the opposition.