News Desk
The internal governance dispute within the Church of Pakistan has reached the Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan, which on February 4, 2026 suspended the operation of a Lahore High Court order while issuing notices to the respondents and the Advocate General Punjab.
The matter arises from a series of writ petitions, intra-court appeals and administrative proceedings concerning the Registrar Joint Stock Companies, Lahore, with allegations centering on the non-disclosure of pending civil litigation between the parties.
The latest order does not decide the case on merits but pauses the implementation of the impugned judgment until further hearing.
In its order in F.C.P.L.A. No. 244 of 2026, a bench comprising Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha took note of submissions that several civil suits filed by respondents were already pending before relevant civil courts, where restraining orders had been passed and remained in the field.
Furthermore, it was argued that in Writ Petition No. 43982/2023 no reference was made to earlier litigation or orders passed by the High Court and civil courts. The petitioner’s counsel contended that by allegedly concealing these material facts, respondents approached the High Court and obtained directions to refer the matter to the District Officer for Registrar Joint Stock Companies, Lahore, resulting in the order dated 11.08.2023.
Moreover, It was further argued that the subsequent single bench judgment dated 17.08.2023 and the divisional bench order dated 20.01.2026 were based on that Registrar’s order. Considering the inter se litigation, the Federal Constitutional Court issued notices and ordered that the operation of the impugned order shall remain suspended till the next date of hearing.
In its official press release, the Church of Pakistan, through spokesperson Rev. Emmanuel S. Khokhar, clarified that F.C.P.L.A. No. 244/2026 was filed by the Church of Pakistan Lahore Diocesan Council through its Secretary Samina Bhatti against the January 20, 2026 order of the Divisional Bench of the Lahore High Court, which had dismissed I.C.A No. 53042/2023 arising out of W.P No. 52165/2023 concerning the Registrar Joint Stock Companies’ order dated 11.08.2023.
The Church further stated that the Honourable Court has not issued any final judgment in favour of any party but has only issued notices and suspended the impugned order pending further proceedings.
The official response also emphasized that the matter remains sub judice, that no final relief has been granted to any opposing party, and that claims of “victory,” “final decision,” or “validation” circulating on social media are false, premature and misleading.
In addition, the statement added that the suspension reflects the Court’s careful examination of the matter and maintenance of status quo, urged the public and clergy not to rely on propaganda or partial narratives, and reaffirmed commitment to transparency, rule of law and unity within the Church.
Former General Secretary of the Synod Church of Pakistan and former Secretary of the Lahore Diocese, Anthony Aijaz Lamuel, commenting on the development, stated that the order of the Honourable Court clearly noted that several related cases filed by the Synod Church of Pakistan group were already pending before relevant civil courts.
He alleged that non-disclosure of these cases amounted to concealment of material facts and influenced the court’s earlier judgments.
Lamuel further stated that civil suits filed by respondents No. 4 to 9 are pending adjudication before civil courts and that in Writ Petition No. 43982/2023 no reference to earlier litigations was mentioned.
He asserted that by concealing these material facts respondents approached the High Court, obtained directions to refer the matter to the District Officer for Registrar Joint Stock Companies, Lahore, and secured the order dated 11-08-2023, upon which the single bench and intra-court appeal judgments were based.
Describing the alleged concealment as approaching the court with “unclean hands,” he termed it a deliberate attempt to influence the judicial process and argued that the reasons behind withholding these facts should be examined by the Court in subsequent proceedings.
The dispute reflects deeper structural tensions within the Church of Pakistan regarding governance, representation, and administrative authority. The involvement of civil courts, writ jurisdiction, corporate registration authorities, and now the Federal Constitutional Court demonstrates the complexity of the legal matrix surrounding religious institutional governance.
If the allegation of non-disclosure of pending litigation is substantiated, it could significantly affect the legal standing of subsequent orders, as courts generally require full disclosure of related proceedings. Conversely, if the respondents demonstrate that no material concealment occurred, the suspension may be lifted.
Until the Federal Constitutional Court renders a final judgment, the legal status of the contested administrative actions remains temporarily frozen, and any public claims of decisive victory by either faction would be legally premature.
The next hearing date is awaited, as the case continues through constitutional adjudication.
The next hearing date is awaited, as the case continues through constitutional adjudication.