Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani resigned on Wednesday, citing health concerns, personal reasons and reservations about judicial independence. According to Aaj News, his resignation letter highlighted concerns over the effects of the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments on the judiciary. The Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani resignation marks his departure from the judiciary after more than a decade as a high court judge.
In his letter addressed to President Asif Ali Zardari, Justice Kayani argued that the constitutional amendments had affected the independence and institutional integrity of high courts. He also expressed concern that growing executive influence over judicial appointments and transfers had weakened public confidence in the justice system. His remarks focused on the importance of protecting judicial autonomy.
The judge stated that he had decided more than 23,000 cases during his judicial career. He said his work aimed to uphold the Constitution, protect fundamental rights and deliver justice without fear or favour. However, he expressed concern that ordinary litigants increasingly faced difficulties and that public trust in fair judicial proceedings had suffered.
Justice Kayani said his conscience did not allow him to continue serving on the bench. He maintained that judicial office must remain connected to independence, constitutional principles and the protection of human dignity. He also announced plans to return to legal practice, where he intends to serve the public, defend people’s rights and promote legal awareness.
The resignation comes months after his transfer from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to the Lahore High Court in April 2026. The transfer followed a majority decision by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. Before the move, Justice Kayani served as the IHC’s senior puisne judge and held the second position on its seniority list.
Following his transfer, reports placed him at 12th on the Lahore High Court’s seniority list. He had also challenged transfers between high courts and raised concerns about judicial administration. More recently, a revised duty roster assigned him to the LHC’s Rawalpindi registry, where he was scheduled to preside over a single bench.
Justice Kayani joined the Islamabad High Court as a judge on December 23, 2015, and was due to retire on February 11, 2032. In March 2024, he was among six IHC judges who wrote to the Supreme Judicial Council regarding alleged interference by intelligence agencies in judicial affairs. His resignation now brings his judicial career to an end, with his stated intention to continue public service through legal practice.
