ISLAMABAD: A fresh institutional tussle is brewing between the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) amid uncertainty over the relocation of judicial offices, following an earlier standoff involving the Federal Shariat Court (FSC).

Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar on Monday visited the high court’s old premises in Sector G-10 reportedly being considered as an alternative location for the IHC but found the building “unfit” for judicial functions, according to officials familiar with the development.

The visit comes as speculation intensifies over a possible shift of the high court from its purpose-built complex on Constitution Avenue after the Federal Constitutional Court formally commenced operations there earlier this month.

The controversy began soon after the inauguration of the FCC at the IHC building, leading to strong reactions from the Federal Shariat Court and raising questions over the administrative handling of the transition. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had reportedly designated the FSC building as the permanent home for the FCC even before the constitutional amendment was sent to parliament. The move, however, was made without consulting FSC judges.

Under the initial plan, the four FSC judges—who currently face a modest backlog of 56 cases—were to be shifted to the third floor of the IHC, where the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had been directed to urgently prepare four courtrooms. Alongside, CDA teams began refurbishment work at the FSC building to house FCC judges.

But when CDA officials attempted to take possession of the FSC premises, its administration resisted and barred their entry. FSC Chief Justice Iqbal Hameedur Rehman, along with fellow judges, later met Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi to register their protest against being asked to vacate a purpose-built judicial complex within a week.

Following the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment and the oath of the FCC chief justice at the Presidency, the remaining judges also took oath—but without a permanent home, the ceremonies had to be held at the Islamabad High Court, underlining the continuing space crisis.

For the time being, the IHC administration has allocated seven courtrooms to facilitate the FCC’s functioning. However, once the FCC’s senior staff—mostly drawn from the Supreme Court—joined their posts, the shortage of space became even more pronounced.

The FCC chief justice was allotted courtroom No. 2, previously used by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, a development that reportedly caused unease within the high court.

Sources say the FCC administration is keen to continue operating from the IHC building, implying that the high court would need to move back to its old G-10 premises—an idea the IHC chief justice appears reluctant to accept after finding the old facility inadequate.

With both courts holding constitutional stature and the government yet to resolve the space-sharing issue, officials fear the situation could turn into a full-blown tug-of-war between the IHC and the newly empowered FCC in the days ahead.