ISLAMABAD: On Wednesday, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the PPP, criticized the government for handling the much-debated constitutional package improperly, which slowed its passage through parliament.
In addition, he demanded equal opportunities for all provinces and called for the establishment of a constitutional court not only at the federal level but also in all provinces.
The PPP chairman stated that the government had attempted to rush the constitutional legislation without proper research or the support of allies like the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in an informal conversation with a group of journalists at Zardari House in Islamabad.
Mr. Bhutto-Zardari stated, “I was told that Maulana Fazl would support it when the government first tried to table the constitutional package in parliament over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), but later we came to know that he was not convinced.”
He explained that after the Supreme Court’s decision on July 12 to give the PTI reserved seats, the situation changed. The government lost faith in its ability to obtain the two-thirds majority required to pass the package in both the Senate and the National Assembly as a result of that decision.
The government sought to amend Articles 8 and 51 of the Constitution with regard to reserved seats in the initial draft of the package. However, the chairman of the PPP made it clear that he preferred to achieve consensus among all political forces rather than rush to pass the package.
According to what Mr. Bhutto-Zardari stated, “I believe the package should not be introduced in parliament without the consent of Maulana Fazl and Sardar Akhtar Mengal (president of the Balochistan National Party).”
He made it clear that he would go to great lengths to persuade Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and he also said that the package would have to be passed at some point.
According to Mr. Bhutto-Zardari, three distinct versions of the constitutional package were being worked on: one by the government, one by the PPP, and one by the JUI-F; the chairman of the PPP stated that the JUI-F would present him with its proposals. I’ll try to combine my ideas with Maulana Fazl’s and the government’s,” he said.
He stated that the PPP’s draft includes demands such as the establishment of constitutional courts in all provinces and the guarantee of equality among them.
Found out if Maulana Fazl would uphold the bundle, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said, “I’m very sure that we will get his (Maulana’s) support eventually.”
“PTI bent upon politics of aggression” Regarding the PTI, Mr. Bhutto-Zardari stated that he had backed the party on a number of occasions, including defending the constitutional requirement that general elections be held within 90 days of Imran Khan’s ouster. However, the PTI is in trouble because it is committed to a politics of violence and hatred, he added.
The PPP chairman responded, “Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa is not the priority, but he is the only judge in the present lot who has given bold and historic decisions, such as ordering the 2024 general elections even against the will of the army, and reversing Supreme Court’s own decision in the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto case,” when asked if the establishment of a constitutional court would be person-specific.
Regarding the economic policies of the government, Mr. Bhutto-Zardari acknowledged that while high prices continue to be a major issue for the populace, the recent drop in inflation was a positive development.
“I am aware that the decrease in inflation has not had a significant impact, but it is a step toward resolving people’s issues. We ought to allow the government to complete its term for this reason,” he added.
He responded, “To another question about his plans to eliminate corruption and overcome the problems in politics and society,” in response to that question. I must play a lengthy inning. We should first disband the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which works to sway political opponents of the rulers rather than eradicate corruption.
