Part VII · The Judicature · Federal Shariat Court
The Federal Shariat Court
Article 203C
Amended by 18th Amendment (2010) · 26th Amendment (2024)
Not sure what this means? Get it in simple words, in English and Urdu.
There shall be constituted for the purposes of this Chapter a Court to be called the Federal Shariat Court.
The Court shall consist of not more than eight Muslim 2[Judges], including the 3[Chief Justice], to be appointed by the President 4[in accordance with Article 175A].]
The Chief Justice shall be a person who is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a Judge of the Supreme Court or who is or has been a permanent Judge of a High Court 6[or a Judge of the Federal Shariat Court qualified to be a Judge of the Supreme Court].
Of the Judges, not more than four shall be persons each one of whom is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a Judge of a High Court and not more than three shall be Ulema 7[having at least fifteen years experience in Islamic law, research or instruction].]
The 8[Chief Justice] and a 9[Judge] shall hold office for a period not exceeding three years, but may be appointed for such further term or terms as the President may determine:
Provided that a Judge of a High Court shall not be appointed to be a 9[Judge] 10* * * except with his consent and 11[, except where the Judge is himself the Chief Justice,] after consultation by the President with the Chief Justice of the High Court.
The 8[Chief Justice], if he is not a Judge of the Supreme Court, and a 9[Judge] who is not a Judge of a High Court, may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.]
The Chief Justice and a Judge shall not be removed from office except in the like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.]
14* * * * * * *
The principal seat of the Court shall be at Islamabad, but the Court may from time to time sit in such other places in Pakistan as the 15[Chief Justice] may, with the approval of the President, appoint.
Before entering upon office, the 15[Chief Justice] and a 16[Judge] shall make before the President or a person nominated by him oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule.
At any time when the 15[Chief Justice] or a 16[Judge] is absent or is unable to perform the functions of his office, the President shall appoint another person qualified for the purpose to act as 15[Chief Justice] or, as the case may be, 16[Judge].
A Chief Justice who is not a Judge of the Supreme Court shall be entitled to the same remuneration, allowances and privileges as are admissible to a Judge of the Supreme Court and a Judge who is not a Judge of a High Court shall be entitled to the same remuneration, allowances and privileges as are admissible to a Judge of a High Court:
Provided that where a Judge is already drawing a pension for any other post in the service of Pakistan, the amount of such pension shall be deducted from the pension admissible under this clause.]