Pakistan’s top court judges resign after move to cut its power

Two Supreme Court judges in Pakistan resigned hours after the country’s parliament approved amendments to the constitution that cut the powers of the judiciary and further empowered the army chief.

Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah left their posts after lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment bill on Thursday. The changes “subjugates the judiciary to executive control,” Shah said in his resignation letter, according to Dawn newspaper.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition used its two-third majority in the parliament to push through the sweeping changes over the objections of opposition groups. The new legislation allows for the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court - whose judges will be appointed by the prime minister - in parallel to the Supreme Court.

Lawmakers also granted lifelong legal immunity to the army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and expanded his control over the military. In addition to his role as field marshal, he was appointed to the newly created post of Chief of Defence Staff, giving him control over all military branches for five years until 2030.

Opposition groups led by the party of jailed former leader, Imran Khan, are considering nationwide protests against the constitutional changes, Dawn reported.

The army chief has spearheaded efforts to improve Pakistan’s relations with the US.