The 26th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan: Implications for Judicial Independence

This paper discusses the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan passed by the parliament on 21th October 2024 with unusual haste. It analyses its impacts on independence of judiciary in Pakistan. The advocates of the amendment claimed that the amendment was needed to address some socio-political and legal challenges. But it has raised questions about the balance of power principle which is the foundation of the constitution. This study analyses the text, motivation of the government, and its impacts on the judicial independence in Pakistan. The findings of the study reveal the impacts of the amendment on judicial impartiality, autonomy, and accountability.