Bilawal pushes for reforms before Oct 25

ISLAMABAD/ KARACHI:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has doubled down on his pledge to see constitutional amendments through, stressing the urgency of resolving the matter before October 25 - the retirement date of the incumbent chief justice - to avoid potential unrest.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Bilawal asserted that if the amendments were finalised before October 25, "we can resolve the issue peacefully". However, he cautioned that any delay may only invite conflict down the road.

He reiterated the PPP's longstanding commitment to these amendments, rooted in party demands dating back to 2006.

Bilawal also questioned the timing of certain actions of the judiciary, specifically pointing out the September 14 injunction on reserved seat which coincided with a parliamentary session, raising suspicions about the judiciary's motives.

"Why isn't anyone scrutinising the timing?" he asked, as he highlighted the four-page judicial clarification released that very day.

Bilawal went on to criticise the judiciary's handling of the Karachi unrest case, which has lingered since 2011.

He questioned whether unrest was exclusive to Karachi, pointing out that provinces like Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan face similar challenges. The judiciary, he said, had used this case to disrupt the local government system.

Bilawal addressed the issue of former prime minister Imran Khan's military trial, stating that the evidence must be examined thoroughly.

"We hold the authority to grant a presidential pardon, but first, we must review the facts. The PPP stands firmly against the death penalty," he remarked.

On the political front, Bilawal did not shy away from addressing the looming selection of the next army chief, hinting that the events of May 9 were teetering on the edge of insurrection.

He warned that failure to pass constitutional amendments could lead to a situation spiralling out of control, much like the 18th Amendment had previously safeguarded the nation against the spectre of martial law.

Firm in his opposition to military courts, Bilawal stressed the necessity of the federal constitutional court, citing historical precedents from the Supreme Court as justification for its creation.

The head of this court, he noted, would serve a three-year term, a move aimed at ensuring stability and consistency.

Echoing Bilawal's stance, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah reiterated that the constitutional court proposal is a cornerstone of PPP's 2024 manifesto.

Speaking at the Karachi Press Club, Shah accused a former chief justice of blackmailing parliament over the 18th Amendment, emphasizing that judicial reforms are in line with Benazir Bhutto's vision.

He also highlighted PPP's frustration over the judiciary's interference, particularly in the Karachi unrest case, which has dragged on since 2011. He questioned whether unrest existed solely in Karachi, suggesting that similar issues plague Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Meanwhile, as the government's constitutional package fuels speculation about a possible extension for Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui clarified on Wednesday that the proposed amendments were not crafted to benefit any individual.