The Lahore High Court (LHC) has scheduled for December 5 the hearing of multiple petitions filed against the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which critics argue undermines the authority of the Supreme Court and threatens the independence of the judiciary.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan will take up the petitions.

Justice Jawad Hassan and Justice Sultan Tanveer will also sit on the bench.

The cases have been fixed for hearing following an administrative order.

The petitioners have made the prime minister and the National Assembly speaker respondents through their respective secretaries.

They maintain that the amendment effectively strips the Supreme Court of its original jurisdiction and reduces it to a “federal constitutional court,” a move they argue weakens the institution and compromises judicial autonomy.

According to the petitions, the amendment also runs contrary to Islamic provisions, judicial independence, and fundamental rights.

It is further argued that the constitutional framework has been disturbed because the amendment was passed without proper consultation with the provinces.

The petitioners have urged the court to strike down the 27th Amendment and issue an interim order suspending its implementation until a final judgment is delivered.