PPP chairman backs constitutional court

Bilawal urges transparency in judge appointments

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has reiterated his party's longstanding demand for judicial reforms, emphasising the need for a constitutional court to ensure a fair judicial system.

Speaking to representatives of lawyers across the country on Thursday, Bilawal praised the legal community for their resistance against dictatorships, particularly in defeating General Musharraf's regime.

"Lawyers have always stood firm against dictators, and their struggle led to the downfall of Musharraf's dictatorship," he said.

Bilawal highlighted the views of his late mother, Benazir Bhutto, who believed that judges should avoid political activism. "She used to say that if judges want to lead rallies, they should form a political party. She knew that judiciary's political involvement would harm the public," he remarked.

He also recalled the PPP's commitment to the Charter of Democracy.

Discussing the need for a constitutional court, Bilawal stated, "The mandate of a constitutional court would be to interpret constitutional matters. Through the 18th Amendment, a system for appointing judges was established. It took me 50 years to seek justice for Shaheed Bhutto's case."

He criticised former chief justices Iftikhar Chaudhry, Saqib Nisar, and Gulzar Ahmed for perpetuating a system where nepotism influenced judicial appointments.

Bilawal also underscored the importance of transparency in the judicial appointment process, a demand originally put forth by Benazir Bhutto. "They said the appointment of judges would be at the discretion of the chief justice, but judges are not supposed to build dams or remodel Karachi. There are so many pending cases in the courts; the system for appointing judges needs to be fixed," he added.

Referring to the misuse of Article 58(2)(b), Bilawal recalled how Nawaz Sharif was warned about its dangers, which later backfired on him. "When the Charter of Democracy was signed, Iftikhar Chaudhry was Musharraf's chief justice. Benazir Bhutto had insisted then that there should be constitutional courts in the country," he noted.

Bilawal vowed to uphold the promises made in the Charter of Democracy, urging lawyers to prepare for the struggle ahead.

"Some lawyers might chant slogans in favour of certain personalities, but the focus should be on the people's rights," he stated.

He expressed his commitment to fighting on all fronts, whether in the High Court, Supreme Court Bar, Parliament, or even on the streets, to ensure swift justice for the people.

"Lawyers are aware of the challenges in delivering justice. We will not back down until the promised amendments are fulfilled," Bilawal declared. "We are ready to fight for the people's right to justice."