Seeking Supremacy
The Pursuit of Judicial Power in Pakistan

'In this path-breaking study of law and politics in South Asia, Yasser Kureshi argues that judges care about their reputations. But, more importantly, he notes that reputations are tied to shifting 'audiences'. With a painstaking eye for socio-legal details, Kureshi shows how senior judges focused on Pakistan's military and bureaucratic elite gave way to those focused on highly politicised bar councils. This shift to civilian circles, however, does not imply a shift in favour of democracy. Kureshi's account of judicial politics in Pakistan also unpacks emerging forms of judicial populism in other parts of the world.' Matthew J. Nelson, Professor of Politics, SOAS University of London

'This sophisticated study not only helps us understand the central institutions of modern Pakistan, but it also provides a model for how to analyze judicial politics as they unfold over time. Focusing on the understudied dynamics of military-judicial relations, Kureshi braids multiple streams of evidence into a richly textured study that will be useful for comparative scholars in many regions.' Tom Ginsburg, Leo Spitz Distinguished Service Professor of International Law, Ludwig and Hilde Wolf Research Scholar, Professor of Political Science, University of Chicago

'Seeking Supremacy is an impressive contribution to our understanding of courts within political regimes. Skillfully applying the concept of judicial audiences to a rich body of evidence, Yasser Kureshi provides a persuasive account of the movement of Pakistan's courts toward a more independent and assertive role.' Lawrence Baum, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Ohio State University

'A superb study of the construction of judicial power in Pakistan, Seeking Supremacy shines a bright light on a crucial question in constitutional politics: how does a court consolidate power? Yasser Kureshi blends in-depth interviews, archival research, constitutional comparisons, and doctrinal analysis in this beautifully written model for socio-legal inquiry. Strongly recommended!' Richard Albert, Professor of World Constitutions and Director of Constitutional Studies, The University of Texas at Austin