Why Pakistan's Latest Constitutional Crises Should Concern the U.S.

Two decades ago, the American Bar Association shed light on Pakistan's legal and constitutional crises. In 2008, hundreds of U.S. lawyers and local bar associations supported the Pakistani legal fraternity when its military dictator, General Pervez Musharraf, arrested Pakistan's Supreme Court justices. The dictator imprisoned scores of judges and lawyers who dared march for judicial freedom.

Fast-forward to 2025, and Pakistan faces a constitutional crisis yet again. In recent years, the country's judiciary has suffered an onslaught from the ruling military-political apparatus. The unprecedented crackdown has severely damaged its already fragile justice system. Alarming trends include:

1. Constitutional amendments to influence judicial matters despite country-wide resistance;
   
2. Empowering military courts to try civilians;
   
3. Curtailing freedom of speech and the right to assembly of political opponents and;
   
4. Harassing justices and lawyers by the military and infringement of due process.

This program will provide an overview and analysis of critical challenges faced by legal practitioners in Pakistan at a time when its judicial and other democratic institutions fight for their survival.

Pakistan’s most prominent constitutional lawyers will discuss the fragile health of Pakistani judicial freedom.

The content of this program does not meet requirements for continuing legal education (CLE) accreditation. You will not receive CLE credit for participating.