Mufti Taqi Usmani criticises Senate move to grant lifetime immunity to President

The Senate has approved an amendment to Article 248 of the Constitution, granting lifetime immunity to the President of Pakistan from legal action after leaving office. The protection would only lapse if the former president accepts another public office.

Reacting to the development, Grand Mufti Mufti Taqi Usmani issued a strong statement, saying that in Islam no individual — regardless of rank or authority — can be placed above judicial accountability.

He said the examples of the Rightly Guided Caliphs were well known and demonstrated that even the highest leaders remained subject to the law.

اسلام میں کوئی بھی شخص چاھے وہ کتنے بڑے عہدے پر ھو کسی بھی وقت عدالتی کارروائی سے بالاتر نہیں ھو سکتا خلفاء راشدین کی مثالیں سب کو معلوم ہیں ہمارے دستور میں پہلے بھی صدر کو صدارت کے دوران تحفظ دیاگیاتھا جو اسلام کے خلاف تھا اب تاحیات کسی کو یہ تحفظ دینا شریعت اور آئین کی روح کے…

— Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Official) (@muftitaqiusmani) November 10, 2025

Mufti Usmani said the constitution previously granted immunity to the president only during his term in office, which he already considered contrary to Islamic principles.

Extending this protection for life, he said, was completely against the spirit of Sharia as well as the essence of the constitution.

He described the move as “very shameful for the country” and prayed for Pakistan to be saved from such “disgrace.”

He urged members of Parliament to refrain from what he termed a “sin” by supporting the amendment.