Controversial video: 'Blackmailing' of judge worries Bilawal

PPP chairman urges all state institutions to stay within their constitutional limits

ISLAMABAD: [fbvideo link="https://www.facebook.com/etribune/videos/650411398801930/"][/fbvideo]

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed grave concerns over allegations of blackmailing of a judge through an incriminating video to force him give a desired verdict in a corruption reference against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The claims were made by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, flanked by the senior party leadership, in a news conference in Islamabad earlier in the day.

She released a controversial video clip whereby accountability judge Arshad Malik could be heard saying that there was “no proof of corruption against the deposed premier” in the December 24 Al-Azizia reference, and that he was blackmailed into giving a verdict against Sharif.

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Reacting to the development, the PPP chairman said this was not the first time that such accusations had been made. “In the past similar allegations of exerting pressure on the judges have also been made. It is indeed a sad commentary on the health of Pakistani democracy that such accusations continue to be made so often and so repeatedly,” he was quoted by his spokesperson Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar as saying.

Khokhar said that the PPP chairman has urged the superior judiciary to take appropriate action in this connection. “If for some reasons the judiciary is not inclined to address such issues then the opposition parties must deliberate on it and formulate a united course of action,” he added.

“It is most unfortunate that even today, political circles are abuzz with pressure reportedly exerted on the judges to deliver preferred verdicts in corruption cases against opposition leaders,” said the PPP chairman.

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He said the presidential references against some honorable Judges of the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court were also seen by many as attempts by the ‘regime’ to undermine judicial independence.

Bilawal also made an appeal to all judges, who are facing such situation, to not succumb to pressure tactics and avoid issuing verdicts under pressure. “The PPP demands remedial measures to ensure the independence of the judiciary and to ensure that justice is not only done but also seen to be done.”

He also urged all state institutions to stay within their constitutional domain.

DI Khan rally

Meanwhile, addressing a political rally in Dera Ismail Khan, Bilawal claimed that the country was bereft of freedom of speech as former president Asif Zardari's interview was taken off the air.

"If an Indian spy or the head of a terrorist organistation's interview is broadcast, then why not his [Asif Zardari]?"

He said the 'selected government' was on shaky ground and would soon fall.

The scion of the Bhutto political dynasty said that he would sacrifice his life for Pakistan if needed. He said that sacrifice was in his blood.

The PPP had always tried its best to work for the uplift of the erstwhile tribal areas, he said. "I understand the plight of those who have lost their loved ones in the face of terrorism," he added.

Drawing Interior Minister Brigadier (retd) Ijaz Shah into his line of fire, he said that, "Why do you think the international community doesn't want to take us seriously because we have the facilitators of terrorism in the federal cabinet."

Bilawal said that his party was being targeted because its leaders had always worked for the people of Pakistan.

"What has the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf [PTI] done for you [K-P] in the last six years," he asked the crowd.

He lambasted Prime Minister Imran Khan by saying that, "All of his promises have fallen flat... the economy is in tatters with the public having to bare the brunt of his failings."