Islamabad — Amnesty International has expressed serious concern over Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment, describing it as part of a sustained assault on judicial independence and calling for an urgent review to safeguard the rule of law and fair trial rights.
In a strongly worded statement, the international human rights organisation said the amendment undermines the autonomy and impartiality of the judiciary, warning that it could weaken constitutional checks and balances and erode public confidence in the justice system.
Amnesty noted that the changes risk shielding key state offices, including the president and senior military leadership, from meaningful judicial scrutiny. According to the watchdog, such provisions could limit accountability and set a troubling precedent for democratic governance in the country.
The organisation stressed that judges must be able to perform their duties without interference, pressure or intimidation, adding that judicial independence is a cornerstone of human rights protection and democratic stability.
Highlighting Pakistan’s international obligations, Amnesty argued that the amendment, in its current form, may be incompatible with global human rights standards, particularly those relating to the right to a fair trial and access to justice.
The 27th Amendment, passed late last year, has already triggered intense debate among legal experts, opposition parties and civil society groups. Critics say the legislation was pushed through without adequate public consultation and could fundamentally alter the balance of power within the state.
Supporters of the amendment, however, maintain that it is aimed at institutional reform and improved governance. They argue that the changes are necessary to streamline constitutional processes, a claim that Amnesty and other rights groups strongly dispute.
With Amnesty International joining a growing chorus of critics, calls for a comprehensive and transparent review of the 27th Constitutional Amendment are intensifying, placing judicial independence and constitutional integrity firmly at the centre of Pakistan’s national debate.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.