SAHSOL’S 4TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN PAKISTAN: HISTORY AND PRESENT CONJUNCTURE
CALL FOR PAPERS
APRIL 23-24, 2026
Over the last few years, Pakistan has witnessed significant shocks to a system of constitutional governance that has arguably remained an ephemeral promise since the adoption of the Constitution in 1973. Following the rise of populist forces and the affirmation of institutional hybridity over the past decade, the passage of the 26th and 27th Amendments formalized radical alterations to the constitutional structure impinging upon judicial independence and fortifying the power of an unaccountable executive to a significantly greater extent. This present crisis is situated within the context of an extremely weak democratic regime, legally victimized opposition, and a judiciary paralyzed in the face of unprecedented authoritarian command.
Where previous maneuvers have faced mass resistance, the current episode highlights a dissolution of previously salient political forces acting to uphold a trichotomous order. This lack of resistance from a fragmented legal community and a cowed opposition is further exacerbated by a dual challenge: while democratic forces at the top struggle to address the political deficit through constitutional means, helpless but furious masses and volatile political elements challenge these weak civilian forces from below. To retain a foothold on power, the fragile ruling elite has leaned back toward authoritarian practices, fueled by a domestic extractivist order and a vast gulf between the accelerated pace of neoliberal market reforms and the absence of redistributive social reforms.
The current constitutional catastrophes are manifestations of a vicious cycle of instability linked to global power realignments and the continued exacerbation of voicelessness for popular movements.
This conference seeks to deconstruct and comprehend this crisis in its historical and structural continuity, aiming to identify pathways for the advancement of democratic forces and the emancipation of the marginalized.
Abstracts for papers are invited that address the following topics related to Pakistan's current constitutional crisis.
- Independence of Judiciary, 26th and 27th Amendments
- The history of constitutional crisis in Pakistan
- Human rights and conflict zones as the victims of constitutional crisis and paralysis
- Federalism beyond the 18th Amendment, SIFC, Mines Act
- New legislation for the marginalized Labor Codes 2026 of Punjab and Sindh, gender, environment, and privatization
- Constitution, law and state theory
- Other related areas
SUBMISSIONS
Academics, Legal Practitioners and grass roots activists interested in presenting at the conference should submit abstracts of approximately 500 words directly to: sahsolevents@lums.edu.pk by March 30, 2026
Authors of the selected abstracts will be notified by April, 2026
