Two IHC judges signal exit after 27th Amendment
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ISLAMABAD: At least two judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) have hinted they might not be available to hear cases in the federal capital from next month, amid speculation about possible transfers following the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
Justices Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Saman Rafat Imtiaz made these remarks while hearing separate cases on Thursday and Wednesday, respectively.
During the hearing of a case related to a private company before Justice Kayani on Thursday, a lawyer requested that the final arguments be scheduled for the first week of December.
However, Justice Kayani responded: “In the first week of December, another judge will be sitting here to hear this case.”
The lawyer expressed his concern, saying, “Sir, don’t say things like this that make us uncomfortable.”
Justice Kayani replied with a smile, “No problem. I am happy about it.”
When the lawyer said, “Sir, you will leave… we have a lot to learn from you”, Justice Kayani reiterated, “No problem, I am happy.”
A day earlier, Justice Imtiaz had made similar remarks during the hearing of another case, saying that her bench might not be available from December, when a counsel sought an adjournment for the following week.
It may be recalled that five IHC judges, including Justices Kayani and Imtiaz, had strongly challenged the transfer of incumbent Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar to the Islamabad High Court earlier this year.
The recently enacted 27th Constitutional Amendment empowers the Judicial Commission of Pakistan to transfer high court judges without their consent — a provision that has raised concerns within sections of the judiciary.
According to sources, the transfers of high court judges are expected to take place in phases, with the IHC likely to be affected first.
Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2025
