LHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani resigns over judicial independence concerns

Lahore High Court Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani announced his resignation on Wednesday, citing health issues, personal matters, and his concerns regarding the impact of the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments on judicial independence. In his resignation letter to President Asif Ali Zardari, Justice Kayani stated that the amendments had compromised the independence and integrity of high courts, while increasing executive influence over the appointment and transfer of judges.

He expressed worry over the difficulties faced by ordinary litigants and the diminishing public confidence in the fairness of judicial proceedings. Justice Kayani, who had presided over over 23,000 cases during his career, said that continuing on the bench went against his conscience and that judicial office must be inseparable from independence, constitutional fidelity, and protection of human dignity.

He intended to return to legal practice, continuing to serve the public and promote legal awareness. His resignation follows a transfer from the Islamabad High Court to the Lahore High Court in April 2026, after a majority decision by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. Justice Kayani had previously challenged inter-high court transfers and raised concerns over judicial administration, having written to the Supreme Judicial Council in March 2024 about alleged interference by intelligence agencies in judicial affairs.

He was recently assigned to the LHC’s Rawalpindi registry and was scheduled to preside over a single bench. Kayani was an IHC judge since December 23, 2015 and was due to retire on February 11, 2032.