Quetta: Chairman People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that whether Justice Faiz or Justice Mansoor sits in the Constitutional Court, we have no problem.
Speaking at the Balochistan High Court Bar, Chairman PP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah are the most respected for me. I have no problem, either of these two judges come and sit in the Constitutional Court.
He said that the lawyers of Balochistan have always resisted the dictatorship. The people of the province have been facing terrorism for some time. He said that our generations have sacrificed their lives for the sake of democracy.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it is necessary to abolish the black laws made by the dictator. Our family’s journey does not begin with a puppet. Former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, General Kayani and General Pasha argued that if the Charter of Democracy is implemented and if the Constitution of 1973 is restored to its original state, then what will happen to the status quo? What about our control over democracy?
He said that it is true that today’s conditions are not very good, but the conditions were very bad when there was a pharaoh against whom no one could say a word. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s political struggle was aimed at restoring the constitution. His journey and struggle for the restoration of the Constitution covers 30 years. We restored the constitution. Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was hanged, our and other parties were also targeted.
Chairman PP said that you should tell us what is the meaning of contempt of court that if someone says something against a judge, you will be punished for life. Is this freedom of expression? Is the freedom of expression that you give a decision, you fire the prime minister, you change the eighteenth and nineteenth amendments and we can’t do it?
He said that I have nothing to do with the judicial war in Islamabad, now the state has become like a father, the role of Iftikhar Chaudhry is in it. Don’t even do it?
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari further said in his address that we are not only demanding to create a constitutional court, but we also want judicial reforms and improvement in the procedure of appointment of judges. He said that look at the opening speech of the Chief Justice, they all say that we will change our laws, you don’t need to do anything.
He said that look at the status of merit decisions, there are about 24 vacancies in Lahore High Court and 13 in Sindh, but honorable judges do not talk among themselves. The number of cases is high and every now and then a new political issue comes up, diverting the attention of the entire judiciary and lawyers.
Chairman PP said that the establishment of the Constitutional Court will not only provide quick and speedy justice to the common questioner, but also the present judges will be fully focused on constitutional matters and if this is not possible, then the people in the Bar Association. They will be held accountable.
He further said that he wants to create a system in which the courts can provide protection not overnight but after some time. This will be possible not just by appointing a Chief Justice but by strengthening the institutions.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that we have to end the concept of sacred cow. A constitutional court must be established at the federal and provincial levels. The concept of military courts comes up again and again because the judicial system is said to be incapable of punishing terrorists, and when judges are asked, they reply that lawyers and prosecutions are not right.
He said that the purpose of establishing the Constitutional Court is not to fix a judge but it is a basic need and I will continue to strive for it.
