Human rights organization Amnesty International has criticized Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment, calling it a significant setback that undermines judicial independence. The amendment, passed in November 2025, has been described as a direct attack on the rule of law and the right to a fair trial in Pakistan.
Amnesty International has urged Pakistani authorities to protect the independence and safety of judges, ensuring they can perform their duties without interference. The organization emphasized the need for a prompt review of the constitutional amendment to uphold international human rights standards.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has also expressed concerns over Pakistan’s recent constitutional changes. Turk highlighted that the amendments risk politicizing the judiciary and undermining its independence. The new Federal Constitutional Court, established under the amendment, has raised fears of executive influence over judicial decisions.
Turk criticized the provision of lifelong immunity to certain officials, stating that such measures weaken accountability and democratic principles. He emphasized the importance of judicial independence in upholding human rights and the rule of law in Pakistan.
