Lahore High Court Justice Shams Mahmood Mirza has stepped down from his position, becoming the first LHC judge to resign following the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. His resignation has been submitted to the president, marking a significant judicial development amid sweeping changes to Pakistan’s constitutional framework.

Justice Mirza vacated his chamber shortly after sending his resignation, signaling that he would not continue performing judicial duties under the new legal arrangement. Prior to this, he was scheduled to retire in 2028, making his early departure particularly noteworthy.

His decision comes at a time when anticipation was growing over the likely transfer of several judges after the amendment. A pending reference filed earlier in January before the Supreme Judicial Council also formed part of the backdrop to his resignation, adding another layer to the circumstances surrounding his exit.

The judiciary has witnessed a string of resignations since the constitutional changes took effect. On November 13, Supreme Court Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah both resigned from their posts, each issuing strongly worded letters expressing deep concern over the amendment’s impact.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah’s 13-page resignation described the 27th Amendment as a profound blow to judicial independence, arguing that it weakened the Supreme Court and distanced justice from ordinary citizens. He wrote that the amendment placed the judiciary in a subordinate position, compromising the constitutional promise of independent courts. His letter also invoked the poetry of Ahmed Faraz to reflect the emotional and historical weight of the situation.

Justice Athar Minallah took an equally firm stance, stating in his resignation that the Constitution he swore to protect no longer exists in its original form. Detailing his 11-year judicial journey, he wrote that he could not continue under a framework built on what he described as the “grave of the Constitution.” He emphasized that judicial robes symbolize trust, yet too often in history have represented silence during moments of constitutional upheaval.

Both resignations preceded the oath-taking of Justice Aminuddin Khan as the first chief justice of the newly established Federal Constitutional Court, further underscoring the scale of institutional changes currently unfolding within Pakistan’s judicial system.

Justice Mirza’s resignation now adds to a widening chain of reactions across the judiciary, highlighting the far-reaching implications of the 27th Constitutional Amendment and raising new questions about the future trajectory of Pakistan’s legal and constitutional order.