LAHORE: Justice Raheel Kamran Sheikh of the Lahore High Court resigned on Thursday, saying he intends to pursue legal scholarship, policy research and comparative judicial practice.
Mr Sheikh submitted his resignation letter, dated Sept 3, to President Asif Ali Zardari under Article 206 of the Constitution. A copy was also sent to the court’s registrar.
In the letter, Mr Sheikh said his years on the bench had been the most formative and fulfilling period of his professional life.
However, he wrote that after “deep and sustained reflection”, he concluded his further growth as a jurist — and his ability to contribute to the rule of law and access to justice — would be better served outside the courtroom.
He thanked his senior colleagues for their guidance and his staff for their support, noting he leaves with an “enduring commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law”.
A graduate of the London School of Economics and a barrister of the Middle Temple, Mr Sheikh has served as a high court judge since May 2021.
The son of senior lawyer and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Akram Sheikh, he previously served as an elected member of the Pakistan Bar Council from 2016 to 2020, chairing its Human Rights Committee. He was due to reach superannuation on Jan 30, 2036.
During his tenure, Mr Sheikh authored significant judgements covering constitutional, family, regulatory and public interest law. In one of his final rulings, he declared unconstitutional a 2024 amendment empowering the Punjab government to remove Punjab Healthcare Commission commissioners at its pleasure, citing due-process violations.
In another recent judgement, Mr Sheikh ruled a husband is not entitled to reclaim gold listed as dower in a marriage contract as consideration for a wife seeking a dissolution of marriage.
He also issued strict guidelines to immigration authorities, declaring it unlawful to curtail a citizen’s right to travel abroad based on vague suspicions. Additionally, he recently ordered authorities to expand public toilet facilities for women, transgender individuals and people with disabilities across Punjab.
Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2026
