FCC CJ says judiciary must remain within constitutional bounds

“We had to build an institution while simultaneously performing the judicial responsibilities entrusted to us by the Constitution,” he said. “In many respects, we began our journey from scratch.”The FCC wasestablishedunder the 27th Constitutional Amendment in November as a separate forum for constitutional matters.

It was given jurisdiction over disputes between governments, constitutional interpretation, enforcement of fundamental rights involving questions of public importance, and challenges to laws on constitutional grounds. The amendment also provided for the transfer of pending cases within the FCC’sjurisdictionfrom the Supreme Court (SC) to the new court.

Justice Aminuddin said three benches of the court had immediately commenced judicial work after the oath-taking process of all its judges was completed. “That moment remains a powerful reminder of the spirit with which this institution was born,” he said.

“There was no prolonged period of institutional preparation before justice could begin. The court was established, the judges took their oath, and the constitutional responsibility of adjudication commenced.”The chief justice said the court had initially functioned from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) building before shifting to its present premises by the end of its second month.

Read:FCC raises questions over SC August 18 order. He described the transition as a “formidable institutional exercise”, noting that the building had been constructed approximately 46 years ago and was originally designed to accommodate around 100 employees.

“Today, however, nearly 400 officials and attached staff of this court are working within these premises,” he said. Justice Aminuddin said limited space had put considerable pressure on the court's facilities, with officers and officials working in “improvised cabins and compact workstations”.

“Yet, despite these physical limitations, the work has continued,” he said. “And it has continued because institutions are ultimately not built by the concrete and bricks alone,” he said. “Institutions are built by people.

They are built by commitments.”“They are sustained by discipline. They grow through collective sacrifices and devotion to the purpose larger than individual convenience.”The chief justice acknowledged the dedication of the court's officers and officials, saying they had worked with “exceptional commitment” despite limitations in space and infrastructure.

“Their contribution is part of the foundation upon which the future of this court shall stand,” he said. Justice Aminuddin said that alongside its judicial responsibilities, the court had established its essential judicial and administrative infrastructure.

It had developed a modern and fully equipped information technology directorate to meet the technological requirements of contemporary constitutional institutions, he said. The court had also established specialised and non-traditional institutional structures for research and publications, judicial translation and language facilitation, in-house training and capacity building, media affairs and public relations, and coordination and special tasks.

Read More:SC says it lacks jurisdiction over NAB matters. Arrangements for procurement and finance, the general branch, library services, building management, security and engineering had also been organised to meet the court's operational requirements, he said.

Justice Aminuddin said the FCC had been established on November 14, 2025 without its own service rules or practice and procedure rules. “Under the framework introduced through the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the Court was therefore required to follow the relevant rules of the SC until its own regulatory framework could be developed,” he said.

He said the court had since succeeded in putting in place the “essential foundation” of its institutional and administrative framework. The FCC Establishment Service Rules 2026 and the FCC Procurement Procedure 2026 had already been framed and duly notified, he said.

“Likewise, the FCC Practice and Procedure Rules 2026 have been approved and are expected to be notified within the next two days.”Justice Aminuddin said these developments might appear “administrative in nature” but carried a deeper significance for the administration of justice.

“The effective administration of justice depends substantially on the strength and quality of institutional support available to the judicial process,” he said. He said research strengthened judicial reasoning, while translation “expands access to justice”, technology promoted “efficacy and transparency,” and training developed institutional capacity.

“Public communication enhances understanding,” he said. “A sound administration enables the Court to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with independence and dignity,” he added. The chief justice said the court therefore needed to remain grounded in constitutional principles while being institutionally equipped to meet the demands of the modern age.