Bilawal rules out CJ-specific reforms

The PPP gave further impetus on Tuesday to its quest to establish a Federal Constitutional Court in the country. The party leadership spent the day persuading political forces, lawyers and social activists to achieve, what it calls, a goal set in the Charter of Democracy by ex-premier Benazir Bhutto.

On one hand, the PPP is striving for the constitutional court by trying to take all on board on the grounds that the amendments shouldn't be person-specific while, on the other, it says that parliament is the creator of the Constitution and it must assert its rightful role.

The statement has come at a time when the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has become a sandwich between the parliament and Supreme Court in their ongoing face-off over the reserved seats issue.

From Quetta to Islamabad, the party leadership held several meetings, including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing the Balochistan High Court (BHC) Bar Association. At the same time, PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman held consultations with Chaudhry Salik Hussain, leader of the PML-Q, and Senator Hidayatullah of the ANP, as part of a broader outreach for the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court.

"I'm not striving for constitutional amendments for any personality, but my aim is to ensure swift justice for the people and to strengthen the institutions," the PPP chairman categorically stated. "I have no objection if any of the judges [Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa or Justice Manssor Ali Shah] come and sit in the constitutional courts," Bilawal said. He added that he holds both in the highest regard after the judgment in Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's murder case.

Emphasising that he wasn't making efforts for the incumbent CJP, Bilawal said that it could be someone's agenda to have a certain personality, but he wasn't doing it for any person. He said that PPP is not only demanding the creation of a constitutional court, but it also wants judicial reforms and improvements in the procedure for appointing judges.

Bilawal stressed on the need for a stronger judicial framework, one that is not reliant on individual leaders, but instead rooted in robust institutions. "We need to build a system where justice is delivered not overnight but in due time, and it should not depend on the appointment of a single chief justice. Strengthening institutions is the only way forward," he said.

Bilawal further urged the establishment of a constitutional court to ensure timely and impartial justice for all citizens. "The creation of a constitutional court will not only speed up the delivery of justice, but also allow existing judges to focus on constitutional matters without distractions," he said. "If these reforms are not implemented, the legal community and the bar associations must step up and hold the judiciary accountable."

However, BHC Bar Association President Advocate Afzal Harifal strongly opposed the idea, rejecting the need for parallel courts. He questioned the timing of the proposal, asking why constitutional courts were being discussed now, ahead of Oct 25.

Meanwhile, Senator Sherry Rehman and senior PPP leaders Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari and Senator Shahadat Awan met leaders of PML-Q and ANP to bring them up to speed on PPP's efforts to establish FCC that includes provincial representation, ensuring that the judicial system remains fair and equitable.

Speaking to the media after the meetings, Sherry stated that constructive consultations were held with the coalition partners, ANP and PML-Q.