Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, recently shared his thoughts on the current judicial landscape, expressing that he has no personal issues with Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa or Justice Mansoor Ali Shah sitting in the constitutional court. He made it clear that his struggle isn’t about supporting any particular Chief Justice concerning constitutional amendments, stating, “Your agenda may cater to a specific individual, but mine does not.”
Speaking to the Balochistan High Court Bar in Quetta, Bilawal reflected on the past, noting that during the era of dictatorships, judges lacked the courage to declare unjust laws unconstitutional. “We’ve come here after traversing rivers of fire and blood,” he said, emphasizing that the fight for the restoration of the 1973 Constitution was a central part of Benazir Bhutto’s political legacy.
He recalled how the 1973 Constitution was revived through the Charter of Democracy, highlighting that Benazir Bhutto endured imprisonment in sweltering heat while political leaders were suffering under oppressive regimes. “At that time, we were all enduring great injustice,” he added, recalling his father’s experience of being imprisoned without any formal sentence. “Where was the justice back then?” he questioned, noting that eventually, his father was honorably acquitted of all charges. He remarked that although the current situation is difficult, it was even more challenging in those earlier days.
Admitting his own limitations, Bilawal said, “I’m not a lawyer; I made a mistake. If a Prime Minister is removed, we can’t even raise our voices.” He criticized the idea that the state is like a nurturing mother, arguing that it has instead taken on a more authoritative, fatherly role, with former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry playing a significant role in this shift.
Bilawal expressed deep concern over how Balochistan has been treated, describing it as akin to being a stepchild in the nation. He reiterated that his fight isn’t about any current Chief Justice; he holds Justice Mansoor Ali Shah in high regard. “If the Constitution states that there will be a constitutional court, we must accept that,” he asserted, underscoring the court’s responsibility to uphold the Constitution and the law.
He added, “Your agenda might serve a specific individual, but I know just how difficult it is to find justice in this country.” Bilawal concluded by stating that he has no issues with either of the judges taking their place in the constitutional court, emphasizing that the court previously permitted Musharraf to pursue constitutional amendments, pointing out that these issues span across the entire country. “It took us 50 years to find justice,” he remarked, encapsulating the ongoing struggle for true justice and equality.
