The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), in its meeting held on June 11, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chairperson of the Council, approved three significant amendments to the Code of Conduct governing judges of the superior judiciary. The amendments formally extend the Code to judges of the Federal Constitutional Court, revise restrictions on judges’ attendance at public functions, and introduce a new framework for reporting and addressing attempts to influence judicial decision-making.
The first amendment modifies the title of the Code from “Code of Conduct for Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts” to “Code of Conduct for Judges of the Federal Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court and the High Courts.” This amendment formally brings judges of the Federal Constitutional Court within the ambit of the same ethical and professional standards applicable to other superior courts. The change reflects the Constitutional Court’s status within Pakistan’s judicial structure and ensures a uniform code of judicial conduct across all superior courts.
The second amendment relates to Article XII of the Code. Previously, judges of the superior courts were required to abstain from presiding over or attending social, cultural, political, and diplomatic functions. Under the revised provision, judges are prohibited only from attending political and diplomatic functions, except with the permission of the relevant Chief Justice. The amendment removes the blanket restriction on social and cultural engagements, thereby allowing greater participation by judges in non-political public activities while preserving safeguards against involvement in matters that may affect judicial independence or impartiality.
The third amendment revises paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article XV concerning complaints of interference in judicial functions. Under the new framework, a judge reporting any attempt to influence judicial proceedings must notify not only the Chief Justice of Pakistan but also the Chief Justice and senior-most judges of the Federal Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, depending on the forum concerned. The amendment further provides that if a High Court Chief Justice or the designated committee fails to act within the prescribed timeframe, the matter may be taken up by the Federal Constitutional Court or Supreme Court forum that was informed by the reporting judge. The revised mechanism broadens institutional oversight and gives the Federal Constitutional Court a direct role in addressing allegations of judicial interference, thereby strengthening safeguards for judicial independence and accountability.
