JUDICIALIZATION OF POLITICS IN PAKISTAN: CONSTITUTIONAL COURTS, SEPARATION OF POWERS, AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AFTER THE 18TH AMENDMENT

Abstract

This study examines the judicialization of politics in Pakistan following the 18th Amendment, focusing on the role of constitutional courts in shaping the separation of powers and democratic governance. Through a qualitative doctrinal analysis of 15 landmark Supreme Court and High Court cases between 2010 and 2025, the study investigates how judicial interventions have influenced executive-legislative relations, provincial autonomy, and political accountability. Findings indicate that while judicialization has strengthened constitutional compliance and enhanced accountability, excessive judicial activism has occasionally blurred institutional boundaries, creating tensions between state organs. The study highlights the dual impact of judicialization on governance, offering insights for policymakers, legal scholars, and institutional reforms aimed at balancing judicial oversight with democratic functioning.