LAHORE – Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza has resigned as a judge of the Lahore High Court (LHC), it emerged on Saturday.
Reports suggest that he has stepped down due to personal reasons while further details are yet to surface.
He has sent his resignation to President Asif Ali Zardari for approval.
A day earlier, President Asif Zardari formally accepted the resignations of two senior Supreme Court justices, Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah, a day after they unexpectedly stepped down, sending ripples through Pakistan’s judiciary.
Presidency confirmed that the resignation letters, sent directly to the President, have been officially approved, amid controversy surrounding 27th Amendment. Officials say both justices submitted their letters immediately after finalizing their decision, amid seriousness of their move.
Before handing in their resignations, senior judges held emotional farewell meetings with fellow judges in their chambers late Thursday evening.
As per reports, some judges made repeated efforts to dissuade them from resigning, but Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah remained unwavering in their decision to step down.
After submission of their letters, the judges exited the Supreme Court building, leaving two critical vacancies and raising questions about the future direction of the judiciary. The resignations have sent shockwaves through legal and political circles, highlighting a rare moment of tension at the highest levels of Pakistan’s judicial system.
