Justice Mansoor Ali Shah Urges SC Judges to Stand Firm Against Political Pressure
ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court Senior Puisne Judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has emphasized that the true duty of a judge lies in upholding the Constitution without yielding to political influence or executive pressure.
In a recent interview with The Legal magazine, Shah stated that judges must act as guardians of the Constitution and fundamental rights, not as extensions of political will.
Justice Shah’s remarks reflect growing concern within the judiciary over recent political interference, and he underlined the need for moral courage, integrity, and a deep commitment to justice.
“Judges Must Speak Truth to Power”
In the interview, Shah asserted that the judiciary’s moral responsibility includes “speaking truth to power,” even when doing so means challenging the government or facing institutional backlash.
He described this role as both philosophical and constitutional, requiring judges to rise above majoritarian influence and resist all forms of pressure that may compromise justice.
Shah highlighted that judicial independence is not merely a constitutional principle but a test of a judge’s resolve in difficult times.
He warned against silence in the face of injustice and called for a judiciary that acts with courage and not fear. “The Constitution doesn’t just need protection, it needs protectors,” he stressed.
Judiciary’s Role Under Scrutiny
Justice Shah also referred to the recent 26th Constitutional Amendment, which he termed as a “weak moment” in judicial history due to executive overreach.
He criticized changes in the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), cautioning against politically motivated appointments that risk undermining the judiciary’s ideological independence.
His comments follow a controversial Supreme Court ruling that allowed military trials for civilians involved in the May 9 riots.
The decision, opposed by two justices, has been widely criticized by rights groups and legal experts as a threat to due process and civilian justice.
