ISLAMABAD: In a move that has stirred debate within legal and judicial circles, Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan on Thursday conducted a detailed inspection of multiple facilities inside the Islamabad High Court (IHC), just a day after four IHC judges filed a petition challenging the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
The timing of the visit has prompted questions among observers, with some asking whether the developments indicate heightened institutional tensions or routine administrative oversight.
Accompanied by justice Ali Baqir Najafi and Justice Arshad Hussain Shah, the FCC chief justice visited the designated site for the new Record Room being established within the IHC premises. The delegation reviewed the proposed arrangements and approved the shifting of judicial files from the Supreme Court to the newly identified facility, a move aimed at centralising records under the new constitutional framework.
Justice Aminuddin emphasised the need for secure archiving and efficient accessibility of judicial records, noting that proper documentation is essential for both ongoing cases and future proceedings before the FCC.
Following the inspection of the Record Room, Justice Aminuddin also reviewed the fresh institution desk, an area being developed to receive new cases, certified copy applications and information requests.
After evaluating the setup, he ordered the immediate operationalisation of the desk, which has been strategically placed near the IHC reception area for the convenience of litigants, lawyers and the general public.
A number of lawyers had previously complained that they were uncertain about where petitions for the FCC should be filed, since no dedicated facility existed within the IHC building—despite the FCC being housed there. The newly established desk aims to plug that administrative gap.
Later, office-bearers of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) met the FCC chief justice and welcomed these developments, describing them as important steps toward improving administrative efficiency, public facilitation and streamlined judicial processes.
The developments come at a sensitive time, as the judiciary continues to adjust to the restructuring brought about by the 27th Amendment, including the shifting of original constitutional jurisdiction from the Supreme Court to the FCC—an issue that remains under intense debate following the IHC judges’ petition.
