LHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani resigns over judicial independence concerns
Lahore High Court Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani resigned, expressing concerns over judicial independence, executive interference, and the impact of constitutional amendments, while also citing health and personal reasons.
- Reasons for his resignation, including constitutional amendments.
- Concerns over judicial independence and executive influence.
- His controversial transfer from IHC and challenges to judicial administration.
- Allegations of intelligence agency interference in judicial affairs.
Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani resigned on Wednesday, citing health concerns, personal reasons and reservations over the impact of the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments on judicial independence, Aaj News reported.
In his resignation letter addressed to President Asif Ali Zardari, Justice Kayani said the amendments had compromised the independence and institutional integrity of high courts, while growing executive influence over the appointment and transfer of judges had undermined public confidence in the justice system.
The judge said he had decided more than 23,000 cases during his judicial career, seeking to uphold the Constitution, protect fundamental rights and deliver justice without fear or favour.
He expressed concern over the difficulties faced by ordinary litigants, saying their needs had increasingly been neglected and public confidence in the fairness of judicial proceedings had suffered.
“My conscience does not permit me to continue on the bench,” he wrote, adding that judicial office must remain inseparable from independence, constitutional fidelity and the protection of human dignity.
Justice Kayani said he intended to return to legal practice to continue serving the public, protecting people’s rights and promoting legal awareness.
His resignation comes months after his transfer from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to the LHC in April 2026, following a majority decision by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. Before the transfer, he was the IHC’s senior puisne judge and second on its seniority list.
Following his transfer, Justice Kayani was placed 12th on the LHC’s seniority list, according to reports. He had also challenged inter-high court transfers and raised concerns over judicial administration.
The judge was among six IHC judges who wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council in March 2024, highlighting alleged interference by intelligence agencies in judicial affairs.
Justice Kayani was recently assigned to the LHC’s Rawalpindi registry under a revised duty roster, where he was scheduled to preside over a single bench.
He was appointed an IHC judge on December 23, 2015, and was due to retire on February 11, 2032.
The resignation marks his departure from the judiciary after more than a decade as a high court judge.