Constitution must remain supreme, FCC CJ says

ISLAMABAD: Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan has emphasised that the Constitution must remain supreme and all exercises of public authority must stay within constitutional limits.

Addressing an event in Islamabad on Tuesday, the chief justice said the Constitution represented the supreme expression of the collective will of the people. He noted that every institution created under the Constitution derived its authority from it and was bound by its limits.

Justice Aminuddin described the establishment of the FCC as a significant development in Pakistan’s constitutional history. He said constitutional adjudication held a distinct place in the justice system because it involved issues beyond individual disputes.

According to the chief justice, constitutional cases can concern the structure of the state, the distribution of powers among institutions, protection of fundamental rights and preservation of the constitutional order.

He said the FCC had faced major institutional challenges from the outset. The court, established under the 27th Constitutional Amendment in November 2025, did not have a fully developed infrastructure when it began functioning.

“We had to build an institution while simultaneously performing the judicial responsibilities entrusted to us by the Constitution,” Justice Aminuddin said.

He recalled that the court effectively began its journey from scratch. There was no extended period available for institutional preparation before its judicial responsibilities commenced.

Three FCC benches started working on the same day the judges took their oath, which, according to Justice Aminuddin, reflected the commitment with which the institution was established.

The chief justice also recalled the court’s initial operations from the Islamabad High Court building. The FCC later shifted to its present premises, which had previously been occupied by the Federal Shariat Court.

Justice Aminuddin said shifting and establishing the new institution had been a major administrative challenge. He noted that the existing building was constructed around 46 years ago and had originally been designed for approximately 100 employees.

The FCC now has nearly 400 officers, officials and attached staff working at the premises, creating significant pressure on available space and facilities.

He said some employees were working from improvised cabins and compact workstations because of the limited space.

Despite these challenges, Justice Aminuddin said the court had continued performing its responsibilities. He stressed that institutions were not built merely through buildings and physical infrastructure but through the people working within them and their commitment to constitutional responsibilities.

The chief justice’s remarks underlined the FCC’s role in safeguarding constitutional principles while carrying out its judicial mandate.