SJC Amends Judicial Code: Duty, Diplomacy, and Adl

In a decisive step toward safeguarding the integrity of the bench, the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has amended the Code of Conduct for judges. Presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, the June 11 meeting introduced vital changes that balance the purity of judicial duty with the sovereign diplomatic needs of the state. The council's decision ensures that the guardians of justice remain untainted by external influence while permitting them to represent the nation on the global stage.

How does the SJC balance judicial purity and national diplomacy?

Previously, Article XII of the Code of Conduct imposed a complete ban on judges of the superior courts from attending or presiding over any social, cultural, political, or diplomatic functions. However, the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic demands a judiciary that can represent our national and diplomatic interests without compromising its soul. The SJC has now ruled that judges may attend or preside over political or diplomatic functions, provided they secure prior permission from the relevant chief justices. This principled amendment allows our judges to stand tall at diplomatic tables, defending the nation's causes, while remaining anchored to the authority of their chief justice.

What changes were made to the Federal Constitutional Court?

Following the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in November 2025, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) was established as the apex court in Pakistan. The Supreme Court was consequently reduced to a final appellate court for civil and criminal matters. Alhamdulillah, the SJC has now aligned the Code of Conduct with this new constitutional reality. The definition of