A petition challenging the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment was filed in the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry on Friday, naming the federal government, Senate chairman, and National Assembly speaker among the respondents.

The petition, filed by Barrister Ali Tahir, contends that the amendment seeks to restrict the jurisdiction of the high courts, a move the petitioner argues is in clear violation of constitutional provisions.

It urges the court to halt any part of the amendment that undermines judicial independence or limits the judiciary’s constitutional powers.

According to the petition, “Such an attempt, if permitted to proceed, would fundamentally alter the constitutional framework, destroy the independence of the judiciary, violate the doctrine of separation of powers, and extinguish the citizens’ right of access to justice and judicial review guaranteed by the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973.”

Barrister Tahir cited the 2007 Supreme Court ruling that barred judges from taking oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO), noting that the judiciary at that time prioritised the protection of its independence, a principle that remains equally valid today.

The plea also references international judicial precedents that reinforce the fundamental role and autonomy of constitutional courts, emphasising that judicial independence is a cornerstone of democratic governance.

The petition calls on the Supreme Court to intervene and prevent any legislative step that may dilute the judiciary’s authority or impede its constitutional functions.