Lahore High Court Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani resigned on Wednesday 28 October 2026, sending his resignation to the President of Pakistan for approval. He cited health reasons following a recent surgery and reasons of conscience, and his retirement was not due until 10 February 2032.

Resignation cites amendments and conscience

In his resignation letter, he said the 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments had compromised the independence and institutional integrity of the high courts. He said growing executive control over judicial institutions, including the appointment and transfer of judges, had seriously eroded public confidence in the judiciary and the fairness of judicial proceedings.

A long judicial career

He said the ordinary litigant, the principal stakeholder in the justice system, continues to suffer, writing: “My conscience does not permit me to continue on the bench.” He said he had disposed of more than 23,000 cases during his judicial service at the Islamabad High Court and the Lahore High Court.

Kayani was appointed an Islamabad High Court judge on 23 December 2015 and was senior puisne judge there, before being transferred to the Lahore High Court on 29 April 2026, where he was placed 12th on the seniority list and was not assigned to any division bench. Reports said the resignation came a day after the court posted him to its Rawalpindi bench as part of a judicial reshuffle.

Sources: TechJuice and Bloom Pakistan.