Justice Kayani resigns, citing growing control over the judiciary

LAHORE: Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Lahore High Court on Wednesday resigned from his office citing health concerns including, reservations over the impact of 26th and 27th amendments’ on judicial independence.

In his resignation Justice Kayani, said that his years of judicial service had been among the most meaningful and fulfilling of his life.

Justice Kayani, however, said that, in his considered view, the changes introduced through the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments had compromised the independence and institutional integrity of the high courts.

Kayani said he had witnessed what he regarded as growing executive control over judicial institutions, including the appointment and transfer of judges.

Such, interference according to him had seriously eroded public confidence in judicial independence and the fairness of the judicial process.

Justice Kayani also expressed concern over the plight of ordinary litigants, whom he described as the principal stakeholders in the justice system, saying their suffering continued to deepen.

He observed that the needs of people seeking justice had too often been neglected, while other actors had become beneficiaries of a system intended to serve the public.

“In these circumstances, my conscience does not permit me to continue on the bench,” he stated in his resignation letter, describing the decision as painful but consistent with his conviction that judicial office must remain inseparable from independence, fidelity to the Constitution and the protection of human dignity.

He said he had decided to leave the bench and return to legal practice, through which he intended to continue serving the people, protecting their rights and promoting legal awareness.

The judge concluded his letter by expressing gratitude to his teachers, fellow judges and family members for their guidance and steadfast support, including during the deliberations that led to his decision.

Justice Kayani had challenged the transfer of Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar from the Lahore, along with two other judges from the Sindh and Balochistan high courts.

The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench had upheld the transfers.

During his tenure, Kayani had disposed of more than 23,000 cases.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026